It is pleasing that final of second of edition of Pakistan Super League is being played in Lahore today. It is a big moment for people of Pakistan who are very passionate about cricket. A wave of enthusiasm and excitement seems to have taken over people from across Pakistan and abroad for the highly anticipated PSL final match. Final is all set to take place between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi.
Chairman of PSL Najam Sethi and his team deserve appreciations for making PSL a big hit. Before first edition of PSL it was being speculated that PSL may not attract interest of cricket lovers. Because it was being held away from the home nation, but PSL management did the homework properly and league was declared very successful. In fact second edition of PSL has received unprecedented success. It is being claimed that this year`s tournament TV ratings were higher than the previous season.
It had been decided before that tournament that final of PSL would be played in Lahore. But sudden increase in terrorist activities in the country initiated a debate that either PSL should be held in Lahore or not. Terrorist incidents also compelled some of the foreign players playing in the tournament to withdraw from playing in Lahore. At that time it was being considered that may be final of Lahore would not be played in provincial capital of Punjab. But administration of PSL held meetings with owners of franchises and foreign players to convince them to play in Lahore. Ultimately it was decided that final of PSL would take place in Lahore and other foreign players would be taken on board if few of the existing would not come to Lahore.
After qualifying for final, some key members of Quetta Gladiators Kevin Peterson, Luke Wright, Mills decided not to come to Lahore. But Quetta Gladiators have picked five foreign players in replacement of other foreign players for the PSL final match. Besides these overseas players, Pakistan’s Aizaz Cheema will also be part of the Gladiators squad, replacing injured Umar Gul. Peshawar Zalmi’s owner Javed Afridi once again reiterated that all the foreign players, including Skipper Darren Sammy will be playing the Pakistan Super League’s final. Pakistani players playing in the PSL including Gladiators skipper Sarfraz Ahmed have said that they are very pleased that final of PSL is being played in Pakistan.
The security around Gaddafi Stadium has been beefed up with thousands of security personnel being deployed to stand guard as cricket returns to the heart of Pakistan. The stadium with a capacity of 27,000 spectators is going to be brimming with fans. To maintain foolproof security containers and check posts have been set up around the venue.
We hope that final of PSL conclude safely and foreign players return to their countries with pleasant memories of Pakistan. Apart from cricket by holding final in the heard of Punjab a clear message would be conveyed to the enemies of Pakistan that we won’t bow down to the threats of terrorism. We also hope that security situation of the country would improve and hopefully next edition of PSL would completely be held in Pakistan.
By holding PSL final in Lahore, nation has given strong message to terrorists that we won’t bow down.
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