PSL final in Lahore or not? Punjab govt postpones meeting

With just a week to go before the finale of the Pakistan Super League second edition, the Punjab government has yet to announce the decision on whether the final will be hosted in Lahore or not.

A meeting to decide the fate of the final was scheduled to be held today but has now been postponed due to the commitments of Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, who was to preside over the meeting.

An apex committee meeting has instead been scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) in which the security situation for the Lahore final will be reviewed.

As the big day (March 5) draws closer, clouds of uncertainty continue to loom over the venue following a fresh wave of terrorism which hit the country over the past week, in which over 100 people were killed and hundreds more injured. One of the terrorist attacks was carried out in Lahore on February 13, in which 14 people lost their lives.

Despite the fresh concerns over security which arose as a result, the PSL management and the franchise owners decided to hold the final in Lahore – a move aimed at bringing international cricket back to Pakistan and sending out a strong message to terrorists that their nefarious plans will not succeed.

The Punjab government, however, has not yet taken any decision in this regard. Even after several meetings, chaired by Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, to review the safety and security for the Lahore final, the officials are yet to announce formally the venue for the final.

PSL chairman Najam Sethi, who met with CM Shehbaz Sharif and other security officials on Friday, tweeted later saying: “I just met CM Punjab. We are on track for PSL FINAL in Lahore. But we shall continue to monitor and review situation in the run-up.”

I just met CM Punjab. We are on track for PSL FINAL in Lahore. But we shall continue to monitor and review situation in the run-up.

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) February 24, 2017

Earlier on Friday, CM Shehbaz Sharif presided over another meeting pertaining to the security and safety during PSL final, which is scheduled to be held at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5.

The forum held a detailed review of holding the T20 league final in the provincial capital, with participants presenting recommendations pertaining to the match's security, according to sources. They pondered overtaking Army's assistance, besides Rangers and police, for the mega event.

PCB chairman Shahryar Khan had said on Tuesday that foolproof security will be provided to teams and fans for the PSL final in Lahore. He had informed the media at that time that the schedule for the sale of tickets for the final will be announced soon.