PSL final tickets almost sold out

LAHORE: The tickets for the final of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Lahore were almost sold out as only a few banks were selling remaining Rs12,000 tickets.

The online tickets for the match were finished within 24 hours, while long queues were seen outside banks selling tickets since the announcement. The enthusiasts clashed with police at several selling points.

A senior official of the Punjab Bank told Geo News that tickets of Rs500, Rs4000 and Rs8000 denominations were no more available. ‘No one from the Pakistan Cricket Board contacted us today.’

A man waiting outside said, if I had Rs8000, I would have remarried.

The PCB started sale of the final on 1st March after it was decided following long deliberations between the top government and military functionaries that the final is going to be played in the provincial capital.

However, five Quetta players -- Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Rilee Rossouw, Tymal Mills and Nathan McCullum -- have refused to go to Pakistan over security fears.

The PCB insist they will be replaced by some other foreign players.

"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," tweeted 31-year-old Wright.

"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."

Rossouw -- the highest scoring batsman for the Gladiators -- also took to Twitter to confirm he would not be playing in the final.

"It´s with a sad heart that I must announce that I will not be taking part in the final," tweeted the 27-year-old, who has played over 30 one-day internationals for South Africa.

The fact that foreign players are not playing the final, has not impacted the enthusiasm of the people in any way. A large number of people reached the branches early in the morning and had their breakfast there.