Giles Clarke voices support for PSL final in Lahore despite recent terror attacks

Giles Clarke, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Task Force on Pakistan, has applauded Pakistan’s determination to organise the final of the Pakistan Super League in Lahore despite the fresh wave of terror attacks which hit the country this week.

“I have a very strong opinion that we should never, ever allow terrorism and terrorists to dictate what we do. Terrorists have no place in our society or anywhere on earth,” Clarke said in an interview to DawnNews.

Clarke, who is also president of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said holding the PSL final in Lahore would send a strong message to terrorists that “we will not bow down to them”.

Hailing the Pakistanis’ love for cricket, Clarke said that the Pakistani public has long waited to see some of the best cricketers in action and deserves to finally see its "heroes and world stars" playing on home soil.

“I thinks it's extremely important that the people of Pakistan watch their heroes playing cricket at home against the best players in the world ─ and in the case of PSL, both with and against them,” Clarke said in the interview.

The chairman, who visited Lahore earlier this year to review the security arrangements, lauded the “massive investment made” and the “determination of the people of Punjab and their dedication” to hold the PSL final in Lahore.

Clarke stressed the importance of holding the PSL final in Lahore as a step toward bringing international cricket back to Pakistan. “It is critical, in my judgement, that Pakistan succeeds in doing so," he added.