LAHORE: After days of speculations and looming uncertainty amid boisterous media debate, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has finally given the nod to hold much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Lahore, ARY News reported.
The premier has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of comprehensive security cover for the league’s final in the Punjab capital.
Mr. Sharif says holding the PSL final, scheduled to be played on March 5, in Lahore is a good initiative that will dispel wrong impression with regard to security, sources told.
Recent spate of militant attacks of in last two weeks across the country prompted security authorities to review decision whether holding the PSL final was a feasible idea. However, PCB expressed its tenacity to go ahead with the plan. The prime minister said the event’s final would also pave way for resumption of international cricket on Pakistani soil.
Yesterday, PSL Chief Najam Sethi after a meeting with the chief minister of Punjab said that efforts were being made to hold the final in Lahore, but the final decision would be taken after detailed deliberations.
The PCB had asked the government to grant security clearance for the PSL final within two days. “The government has to decide soon, so as the matters related to tickets and other arrangements should be made,” the board officials said.
In an earlier meeting on security the officials agreed to get assistance of the Rangers and the Army along with the police, to ensure a foolproof security for the cricket event. Last week, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed his resolve to provide complete security to the PSL final and vowed to foil enemy’s plan to foil the cricket game. – MD
