Lahore set to host HBL PSL finale

Franchise owners briefed in Dubai on security arrangements for March 5 game

SHARJAH: Refusing to be intimidated by a fresh wave of bombings, Pakistan’s cricket authorities on Monday reiterated their plans of hosting the final of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Lahore next month.

Following a spate of recent bombings in the country including Lahore, the fate of the March 5 finale at the Gaddafi Stadium seemed to be in jeopardy as there were reports that most of the foreign players featuring in the T20 league were unwilling to travel to Pakistan.

However, the PSL organisers remained adamant and made it clear that the final will take place in Lahore with or without foreign players.

On Monday, they received full backing from the five franchises who agreed that their teams will travel to Lahore should they qualify for the final.

The decision came after a meeting in Dubai on Monday in which the PSL management briefed the franchises on security arrangements for the final.

The cricket board has received support and assurances from the federal government, from the Punjab government and perhaps most importantly from the army.

“It has been heartwarming to see the dedication of all the owners to the cause of taking cricket back home,” PSL chairman, Najam Sethi said in a statement. “There is a realisation that this final will be the first step in opening the gates to international teams starting to make the journey again. We are all committed to this mission and wish to have a thoroughly entertaining final where it should happen - in Lahore.”

During the meeting on Monday, the owners of the Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars franchises raised concerns about the security of players and the general public if the match were to be played in Lahore, concerns that were eventually assuaged by Sethi.

“We are actually concerned about the general public’s safety, otherwise we are convinced that our players will be taken care and they will have the top security,” Sameen Rana, CEO of Lahore Qalandars, told Cricinfo. “But they [the public] are also our stakeholders and it’s for the crowd that we are making it, so what about their safety? We were given a line by Najam Sethi that he has all the assurances from the government and forces to make it possible, and every single person is important and will be taken care of. So we trust them and agreed to play the final in Lahore.”

The PCB has taken numerous steps in its planning for the final. The board has bought four bulletproof buses for the transport of players, and has previously spoken about planning it such that players fly in and then out immediately either side of the match.

The question around the participation of foreign players in the final remains unanswered. Even before this latest wave of attacks, the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) issued a report warning that an “acceptable level of participant security and safety cannot be expected or guaranteed” in Pakistan. After the Lahore blast, Sethi briefed foreign players in Dubai but admitted that he was unsure how many would agree to traveling.

It is believed that foreign players will be offered separate payments to travel for the final itself, based on a slab system reflecting their status and seniority. The minimum payment to each player is US$10,000. The maximum payment could go as high as $50,000.

Franchises have, however, been handed a list of 54 foreign players who, the PCB says, are willing to travel to Lahore for the final. The list comprises players who were left unpicked at the draft, as well as others from outside the pool who have been contacted by the PCB about their availability. They include players from Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, England, South Africa, West
Indies and Bangla
desh.