Provincial govt. gives green light to PSL final in Lahore

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's provincial government gave the green light on Monday to plans to organize the Pakistan Super League cricket final in Lahore on March 5 despite a recent attack there which killed at least 13 people.

"The decision was made by chief minister (Shahbaz Sharif) after consulting all the concerned security agencies," Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah said.

Earlier this month doubts were raised over the Lahore final after a new wave of terrorist attacks hit Pakistan. At least 13 people were killed in Lahore when a bomber targeted police escorting a rally by pharmacists.

Pakistan has not hosted any major test playing nation due to security concerns of foreign teams since terrorists attacked a Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. The Pakistan Cricket Board is viewing the PSL final as a showcase event to regain the confidence of foreign teams to revive international cricket in Pakistan.

Several renowned foreign players like Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka, Kevin Pietersen of England and Darren Sammy of the West Indies are competing in the PSL in the United Arab Emirates.

So far none of the foreign cricketers have agreed to travel to Lahore, but PSL officials hope to attract foreign cricketers after the playoffs end on Friday in the UAE.

Last week the Federation of International Cricketers' Association said there was still a considerable security threat for the PSL final in Lahore, but it was up to each player to make a decision on whether or not he wishes to go to Lahore.

The PSL has reportedly offered $10,000-$50,000 to foreign cricketers to play the final in Lahore.

"Everything will be clear once the playoff ends and the two finalists are decided," PSL chairman Najam Sethi said.

"I can't give you the names (of foreign players), but I am sure there will be foreign players for the March 5 final."

Sethi said at least eight foreign security officials from various cricket boards and the International Cricket Council will also visit for the March 5 final.

Last week, Sethi got the backing of all the five franchises — Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, Islamabad United and Lahore Qalandars — to organize the final in Lahore.

"It's time the nation should show the world that we are a peace loving nation, we are not going to be blackmailed by the terrorists," PSL chairman Najam Sethi said.

"After the success of this event, international cricket will also return to Pakistan," Sethi said. "We have to work hard for the next six days to make it a success."

While PSL organizers hope to send positive signals to the cricketing world, several of Pakistan's top former cricketers criticized the decision to choose Lahore for the final because of security concerns.

"It's madness, it's a bad idea, the (security) situation is not good," cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, who is also an opposition leader, told a private television channel.

"Why are we taking a chance? International cricket won't return to Pakistan like this if we lockdown the whole of Lahore."

Another former captain, Javed Miandad, agreed with Imran's views and said a final protected by thousands of security officials will not send a positive signal to the cricketing world.