Some foreign players ready to play PSL final in Lahore: Afridi

KARACHI: Former skipper Shahid Afridi on Thursday said some foreign players of Peshawar Zalmi were ready to travel to Pakistan for Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 final match.

Talking to host of ARY News program ‘Off The Record’ Kashif Abbasi, Afridi said he spoke to Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy that he would guarantee his security. “He smiled at me and said if it was your guarantee than I would play the final in Lahore,” he said.

He said foreign players (of Peshawar Zalmi) were ready to travel to Pakistan. Even if some foreign players were not ready for security reason, which we should understand, we have no issue. We would still go with the final match in Lahore, he added.

Lala refused to comment on a question about cricketer-turned-politician Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan’s opposing hosting PSL final in homeland.

To a query, he said hosting PSL final in Pakistan was a big decision and once it was taken he completely supported it.

“I pray tomorrow’s match between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi goes well. PSL is a good platform for players. The team which makes fewer mistakes will stand victor,” he said to another query.

The all-rounder admitted Zalmi had been making several mistakes which resulted in their defeat against Islamabad United, Karachi Kings and Quetta Gladiators. However, he said, Peshawar Zalmi’s overall performance was better than other teams.

To the question that whether PSL would bring back cricket to the country, he said the real fruit and purpose of PSL was revival of cricket in Pakistan.

He also said we should be concerned about our own people as well along foreign players. He said the mega cricket event would send a big positive message to the world.

Former cricketer Mohsin Khan vented his anger at the decision of holding PSL final in Lahore without informing foreign players prior to signing contract.