Imran labels foreign players who played PSL final 'phateechar'

ISLAMABAD: PTI chief Imran Khan gave a statement which went viral on social media, claiming that the foreign players who had taken part in the Pakistan Super League final on Sunday, were 'phateechar' and that he wasn't even aware of their names. 

Imran Khan faced immense criticism from all quarters when he slammed the government and termed its decision to hold the Pakistan Super League final in Lahore as 'madness'. Imran however, refused to retract his statement and instead, referred to the foreign players who played in the final as 'low-class' players. 

"I didn't even know the names of the 'phateechar' (low-class) players who they were claiming were foreign players," said Imran. "I think they grabbed some people from Africa and others from elsewhere to claim that they were foreign players. We don't know who they were," said the PTI chief.  

Imran said that the foreign players who attended the PSL final in Lahore would have come even to play domestic cricket if they were offered money. He said that the big names of international cricket were unwilling to come to Pakistan and did not arrive. 

On Tuesday, Quetta Gladiator batsman Kevin Pietersen said in a video message he was told that it was not a good idea to travel to Pakistan. “It was a family decision and has absolutely nothing to do with what Imran Khan said." He said he took his decision before the tournament due to security concerns.

MQM-Pakistan reacts to Imran's statement

MQM-Pakistan member Faisal Sabzwari slammed Imran Khan's comments, claiming that the retired cricketer's statement was disappointing.

"Imran Khan has remained a cricketer himself at one point. I am disappointed with this statement of his," he said.