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PSL fever grips Pakistan, promises quality cricket

By Web Desk
March 05, 2017

LAHORE: The eagerly-awaited final of the second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) promises quality and entertaining cricket as Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi beaming with foreign players will be aiming to win the prestigious title here on Sunday at the historic Gadaffi stadium.

A full house of nearly twenty six thousands spectators will be in presence to witness the end of international cricket drought in Pakistan by seeing a mix up of foreign and local players in action.

Lahore was just like the centre of the universe for the cricket enthusiasts as the PSL fever generated festivity across the country.

Though, the PSL had maintained from the very beginning that the year's final would be held in Pakistan, the bombings over the last month had caused uncertainty. There were voices of concerns as many people had reservations about holding the final in the country considering the challenges associated with maintaining security of such a mega event.

It wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate to say that even the critics couldn’t help but to give in to the national sentiment. PSL final was the top trending topic in the country on social media for the last two days.

Those who had been lucky enough to get a ticket for the final were posting their pictures with the tickets on social media. The shops selling PSL teams’ shirts in Lahore were swarmed with youth.

Eateries across the city were clogged on Saturday night. It was a challenge to get a table as thousands, who had travelled to Lahore to watch the final, took some time out to explore the food Lahore is known for.

“Cricket is coming home! Come on Pakistan! Let's chant Pakistan Zindabad!” said Osama who had come all the way from Karachi along with five friends.

The entire build up to the final is a phenomenon in itself that, like any other thing in Pakistan, the issue quickly became political where the PTI chief after calling for the entire tournament being held in the country went out all guns blazing against it. It is, however, interesting to note that the majority of PTI leadership did not subscribe to this stance and are pretty candid about it.

Quality cricket:

Quetta and Peshawar have the services of foreign players and their presence will add flavor and thrill in the final which has billed as 'game of nerves' by the experts of the game.

South African Morane Van Wyk, Zimbabwean Elton Chigumbura, Sean Ervine West, Bangladesh Inam ul Haq, West Indies Rayad Emrit will be seen in action from Quetta which is being led by Pakistan cricket captain Sarfraz Ahmad.

Quetta has the best available local talent to add to its performance.

Peshawar has been boosted with the inclusion of their west Indian captain Darren Sammy, England's Chris Jordan, West Indian Marlon Samuels and these foreign players will be gelling with the local players to entertain the diehard fans who will be watching such a high profile cricket activity at home after eight years.

Rival team officials are confident of their respective teams success in the final.

They consider the final at Gadaffi stadium a historic moment of Pakistan cricket and nevertheless they are not going to compromise except the title victory.

Pakistan former captain, Moin Khan who is the coach of Quetta said "It is going to a thrilling final and I am confident that my side will perform to an excellent level to win the title".

He said playing the final at Gadaffi stadium in front of a packed house will add to the confidence of his teams local players who are in the process of making.

"PSL final will be memorable event in Pakistan cricket history and a deciding moment to ensure better tomorrow of cricket in Pakistan", he said.

Moin said, he has urged the team players to maintain the flow of their success in the event by putting up another dazzling to live upto the expectations and to make their way to the trophy.

Muhammad Akram coach of Peshawar was confident of his team’s success but pointed out that the team will feel the absence of stylish all rounder, Shahid Afridi in a big way.

"Shahid is a game changer, a hard hitting batsman and a player with a lot of experience and talent, definitely we will miss him in the match but we will be filling the void to display a collective show for our title success", he said.

Akram was delighted that the final was being played at Gadaffi stadium, the home of cricket in Pakistan.

"Playing cricket in Gadaffi stadium has its own significance and PSL final is not less than a top class international cricket event", he said.