Foreign players refuse to play PSL final in Pakistan after terrorist attack

One of the countries with the most passionate and avid following for cricket, Pakistan has been deprived of international cricket for its fans to witness at home for almost 8 years now, after terrorists inhumanely attacked the whole Sri Lankan cricket team travelling to the stadium for another day of the ongoing Test match.

There were a few minor injuries, but a huge disaster was averted and ICC couldn’t afford any other jeopardies and threats to cricketers’ lives and subsequently ended up indefinitely banning international cricket in Pakistan since then. The situation may have become a little better since with Zimbabwe historically touring Pakistan in 2016, but on Monday the 13th of February, the city of Lahore witnessed an explosion in which over 80 people were injured, ceasing the revival.

Another terrorist activity seems to threaten the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) which is scheduled to be played in the same city Lahore on 5th March. Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), conducted a meeting with foreign players before the start of PSL, assuring them high security, but this incident has left many foreign players apprehensive and some players absolutely unwilling to play in Lahore due to enhanced security fears.

The chairman of PCB, Najam Sethi, however, is still keen on the final being played in Lahore, as scheduled, with the wants of the Pakistani fans being his top priority in making the decision. He’s open to the idea of having a final featuring just the local players as well.

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“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.