Published: Mar 03, 2017, 11:39 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 03, 2017, 04:06 PM (IST)
Karachi: Peshawar Zalmi owner Javed Afridi has confirmed that all the international players of his franchise have given their consent to play the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore on Sunday if his team qualify for the same. He further confirmed that all the five foreign players of his team, namely Dawid Malan, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy, Chris Jordan and Samit Patel have already been issued Pakistan visas. “All five of our foreign players have received Pakistani visas and they will play the final in Lahore when we qualify,” the Dawn quoted the franchise owner as saying.
Earlier, all four foreign players of Quetta Gladiators, namely star batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Rilee Rossouw, all-rounder Luke Wright and fast bowler Tymal Mills confirmed their unavailability for the final despite the team qualifying for it.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators mentor and West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards and fielding coach Julien Fountain had confirmed that they would be travelling to Lahore for the finals. Quetta’s opponents will be decided in the final playoff between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi on Friday.
Earlier, there were doubts whether the PCB would hold the PSL final in Lahore following the February 13 suicide bombing in which 13 people were killed. However, in a meeting held earlier this month between the PSL management and the five franchise owners in Dubai, it was decided the summit clash of the tournament would be held at the PCB headquarters on March 5 as per schedule.
Last Monday, the Punjab government had also given its go-ahead for the final to take place in Lahore following thorough consideration and evaluation of security conditions in the country after a series of bomb blasts in the preceding weeks.
