Foreign players of Peshawar Zalmi agree to travel to Lahore if they qualify for final

With a couple of days to go for the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2 to commence in the historic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the tournament received a major boost as the owner of the Peshawar Zalmi squad Javed Afridi announced that 5 of the foreign players from the squad will travel to Lahore to play the final of the tournament if their team qualifies for the final.  “Five of our players will come to Pakistan if Zalmi qualifies for the final in Lahore,” Javed Afridi was quoted as saying by Geo Tv.

The five foreign players expected to travel to Lahore are Dawid Malan, Marlon Samuels, Chris Jordan, Darren Sammy and Samit Patel. Afridi confirmed that their visas have already been issued for Pakistan. Despite Quetta Gladiators already qualifying for the final, none of the foreign players will travel to Lahore. Quetta will face the winner of the eliminator match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings in the Final on Sunday.

Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi conceded that it was a big news for Pakistan that all these foreign players decided to play in Pakistan after so many years. “This is a big thing and Peshawar Zalmi stands united with Pakistan and Pakistan Cricket,” Afridi was quoted as saying. On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators will enter the playing arena on Sunday with many of their big stars missing from the Playing XI.

Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Tymal Mills have all tweeted that they won’t take further part in the tournament. Former South African batsman Rilee Rossouw who was earlier expected to travel to Lahore eventually pulled out tweeting the same. “Its with a sad heart that I must announce that i will not be taking part in the final,” he wrote.

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While Luke Wright thought that cricket wasn’t a big enough thing to risk his life ahead of his family.  “It’s with a heavy heart I will not be coming to Lahore. I have a young family and for me a game of cricket is just not worth the risk. I’m sorry as I know how much it means to you all and hopefully in the future the safety will not be in doubt to come play there.”