Peshawar, Quetta clash in Pakistan Super League final

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators are all set to clash in the final of the second edition of the Pakistan Super League at the Qaddhafi Stadium amid tight security arrangements with army and paramilitary troops deployed in the provincial capital.

The Pakistan army and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have assured VIP-level security arrangements -- normally reserved for state heads -- for the teams.

It will be the highest-level game in Pakistan since a 2009 assault on the Sri Lanka team bus killed six people and wounded several players.

A capacity crowd of 25,000 is expected for Sunday´s final which starts at 20:00 local time (1500GMT). As well as foreign players, the final will boast West Indian great Viv Richards who is a mentor for the Quetta team.

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones, who was the head coach of Islamabad United in the tournament, is in Lahore as TV commentator.

Foreign players of Quetta Gladiators refused to play the final in Lahore citing security concerns.  But on Saturday Quetta announced they had signed West Indian paceman Rayad Emrit, Bangladesh´s Anamul Haque, 37-year-old South African Morne van wyk and Zimbabwe´s Elton Chigumbura and Sean Ervine as replacements.

Zalmi players Dawid Malan, Marlon Samuels, Darren Sammy and Chris Jordan along with the Quetta Gladiators` Team Mentor Sir Viv Richards, Feilding Coach Julien Fountain and player Sean Ervine arrived in Lahore after midnight.  

Star all-rounder Shahid Afridi was forced out of the final after he damaged his right hand during fielding in the play-off against Karachi Kings. Web Desk/AFP