In a meeting held in Dubai on Monday between the Pakistan Super League (PSL) management and the owners of the team franchises, it was decided that the final for the tournament will be held in Lahore.
Earlier, due to security concerns following the Feb 13 suicide bombing in Lahore, there had been speculation that the PSL final may not be held in Pakistan after all, as many international players had voiced their concerns over security.
Javed Afridi, the owner of Peshawar Zalmi, said that they decided to remain on the same page with the PSL in the national spirit.
"Cricket is what unites the nation. Our decision on the final was made in the meeting with PSL Chairman Najam Sethi."
Yesterday, star player Shahid Afridi had also urged the authorities that PSL's season two final be held in Pakistan.
“The final, as announced, should be held in Pakistan, with or without international players,” he had said in a post-match press conference.
“This is about respect, we can play with our local players, but I request overseas players who have supported PSL to also come to Pakistan and continue their support,” he had added.
“Pakistan Cricket Board should look at the situation, and if things are not working out [in Lahore], we have options,” he said. “We have the Pindi stadium, we have a stadium in Karachi. I hope the cricket board will take a good decision.”
PSL Chairman Najam Sethi had also promised cricket fans in Pakistan that the final would be held in Lahore, in the absence of foreign players, if the fans did not want the venue to change following last week's bombing.
“The foreign players have refused to play the final in Lahore after Monday’s blast, but if the citizens of Pakistan want the PSL final to be held in Lahore then the final will be held in Lahore," Sethi had said in his statement.
Quetta Gladiators batsman Kevin Pietersen, who hails from England, had earlier said he had yet to decide whether to come to Pakistan or not if the PSL final is played in Lahore.
“I haven’t decided to go or not as yet, I will take the decision regarding coming to Pakistan if my team reaches the final,” said Pietersen.
Earlier last week, Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said that he would like the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to hold the final match of the PSL in the metropolis.
He said this while speaking to media in Karachi and also tweeted about it, promising support in organising the event in every way.
Last week's suicide attack in Lahore had raised concerns over whether the tournament final would be held in the country.
Pakistan had been cast out of the international cricketing circuit after a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers came under a gun and grenade attack in Lahore on March 3, 2009. Seven players and an assistant coach were wounded, while eight Pakistanis were killed in the attack.
