PCB to host PSL final in Pakistan

The final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is expected to be played on Pakistan soil in March according to a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday. If it does take place, it will be a huge boost for Pakistan, a country who has been devoid of any international cricketing action since 2009. On that fateful day, several gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus while they were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium for a Test match. Six players were injured and as many as six security personnel and two civilians lost their lives.

PCB hosted their first T20 domestic tournament in UAE last year and despite not a single match taking place in Pakistan, it attracted big crowds throughout the tournament but the PCB conceded that the bigger test will be to bring back the competition in Pakistan. Ever since the attack on the Sri Lankan team, Pakistan has been forced to play all their home matches in UAE and apart from Zimbabwe touring here for a short series in 2015, the nation has been devoid of international cricket.

“We will host the final in Lahore on March 7. We are going full steam ahead, and have all the green signals,” PCB’s executive committee chairman Najam Sethi was quoted as saying by the Reuters. Giles Clarke, the head of ICC’s Pakistan Task force arrived in the country for a two-day investigation process on the prevailing security condition in the country.

“We’ve been able to see very significant work that has been invested in and invested very wisely in how safety and security will be made possible for visiting international cricket teams. There’s a considerable amount of perception that needs to be changed and information that needs to be shared. But I am most impressed by the efforts of the authorities to make Lahore a safe city,” Clarke said.

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A senior PCB official stated that the PSL final will be held in Pakistan “for sure” but only if there are no big issues regarding security forces from now to February 9.