Imran Khan terms holding PSL final in Lahore ‘irrational' decision

LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has stated that holding only PSL final in Lahore for the sake of return of international cricket to Pakistan is an ‘irrational decision”.

Speaking to media here Thursday, Imran Khan questioned how can we give the message of peace by holding PSL final in a ‘curfew’ like situation.

Imran Khan stated that not only Pakistan Super League final but the entire tournament should be held in Pakistan.

You cannot call club-level foreign players as international players, he said and added that not a single good international player is playing in the PSL.

“Instead of return, International cricket will move further 10 years away from Pakistan if any untoward incident occurs,” Imran said.

Khan said, “PTI has cancelled public meetings due to security reasons.”

The former cricket hero Imran Khan on Monday opposed the government’s decision to hold the final of Pakistan Super League in Lahore, citing security concerns in the country.

Speaking to media shortly after the Punjab government made the decision at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Khan expressed doubt that deploying army and strict security arrangement for the event would make people think that peace has been restored.

Reacting to Imran Khan’s statement, Marriyum Aurangzeb asked the PTI chairman not to become Bal Thackeray of Pakistan by opposing the cricket event.

The PSL T20 tournament is being played in United Arab Emirates and as part of their efforts to restore international cricket in the country Pakistani cricket officials and the government want to hold the final in Lahore.

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

Star batsman Kevin Pietersen quoted Imran Khan's 'madness' statement when asked about whether he would travel to Lahore to play the PSL.

KP of Quetta Gladaitors told his management that when Imran Khan is saying that holding final in Lahore is madness, then how can I go there.

Kevin Pietersen, a key player of the Gladiators, has left UAE shortly after his team beat Peshawar Zalmi to qualify for the final.