LAHORE – Pakistan Super League chairman Najam Sethi has vowed to conduct PSL final in Lahore even in the absence of foreign players and despite the tragic Mall Road bombing.
‘The foreign players have refused to play the final in Lahore after Monday’s blast, but if the citizens of Pakistan want the final of PSL to be held in Lahore despite foreign players not participating in the final, then the final will be held in Lahore,’ said Sethi in his statement.
The PSL official added that the security agencies had committed to provide fool-proof security for the final.
On the other hand, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah while throwing his weight behind Sethi said that Punjab was ready to host the final of PSL with full security and added that Lahore was safe for the players even after Monday’s tragedy.
Earlier, before the start of tournament, scores of foreign players had given the green signal to the cricketing board regarding the participation in final of PSL in Lahore.
The final for the PSL is scheduled to be held on March 5 in Lahore and PCB is likely to confirm or change the schedule subject to consultation with the concerned departments.
Sethi’s statement came as at least 13 people including senior police officers were killed while 73 others were left injured after a massive explosion near Punjab Assembly on Monday.
The bomb blast occurred at Charing Cross, Mall Road, Lahore, killing DIG Traffic Capt (r) Ahmad Mubeen, SSP Mahmood Gondal and DSP Pervez Butt, police sources told Daily Pakistan.
‘The incident occurred as hundreds of chemists were protesting nearby against a new regulatory law’ Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said.
Many vehicles parked near the blast site caught fire, triggering panic and chaos in the area.
The tragic blast raised suspicions whether PSL final would be held in Lahore or the venue would be changed. However, PSL chairman’s stance suggests that the cricketing board is exploring all options to keep the venue unchanged.
