Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar on Thursday said he would like the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold the final match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the metropolis.
He said this while speaking to media in Karachi and also tweeted about it, promising support to organise the event in every way.
The PCB had promised to provide top-level security to the PSL finalists at Gaddafi Stadium. But a bomber targeting police negotiating with protesting pharmacists on Monday killed 13 people in Lahore, casting fresh doubt over whether foreign cricketers will risk a return to playing in Pakistan.
I offer @TheRealPCB to hold #PSL2017 Final in #Karachi, we will cooperate in every way, if it happens it will be a Great Success.
— Wasim Akhtar (@wasimakhtar1955) February 16, 2017
Pakistanis were quick to voice fears that Monday's explosion in Lahore could derail plans to hold the highly anticipated final of the PSL there.
On that note, Akhtar said that he would take full responsibility to make security arrangements as well as facilitate the management of the event at the National Stadium.
PSL Chairman Najam Sethi said in a talk show on TV following the Lahore blast that he had been in contact with several foreign players who indicated they would still be willing to play the final in Lahore.
"We are in touch with other foreign players so that we could replace those (contracted international) players who are not willing to play in Lahore."
"Now I will have to start all over again," Sethi added. "I cannot say that we will be successful or not because [the players] have families, they will have their associations which will guide them."
The PSL chairman also said that he wants to poll the Pakistan public and let them decide whether they want to see the final in Lahore most likely without foreign players or Dubai again probably with overseas players.
Sethi said he still wanted Lahore to host the final, with or without foreign players.
"I want cricket lovers to tell me ... what do they want? Whatever they want, we will do," Sethi said.
