Right decision by the players

expected

Slap on the face of pakistan cricket

I think it's a fair decision.

Pieterson specifically mentioned Imran Khan's comment about holding PSL final in Lahore as "madness" as a reason for him pulling out. Congratulations IK ! You successfully sabotaged PSL.

Let it be played in Dubai, Najam sethi has insulted all pakistanis

Pathetic decision by PCB. Imran Khan was 100 percent right. This is madness

This was expected..first improve the security and then organise such psl

If foreign players are not coming to Lahore then holding PSL in Lahore is of no use.

Now whats left in PSL ?

Yup the slap to the PCB. Players have made the right decision.

we understand I guess.

I would be happy to see cricket come back to the country. I would also want the cricket rivalry of India-Pak to resume. But then, I would want a free, fair, and a safe Pakistan, and this can be done only be a sincere and honest government. They should address what ails the country that is preventing foreigners from visiting. Even Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, and Kenya have been preferred by visiting teams.

After the Rangers operation in Karachi now it is the safest place in Pakistan. Why the final not being shifted to Karachi?? All foreign players will love to come to Karachi as it is safe here.

Well, it is okay if they do not come to Lahore (hope PSL find their replacement) after all, the most important thing for a person is his/her safety. Thanks for the all the entertainment you provided us.

@Farhan PCB themselves sabotaged PSL by not even considering the consent of foreign player, broadcasters, commentators and officials. I am not a IK / PTI supporter but i must say he knows cricket better than you and me.

It seems only Imran and Miandad have some logical brain.

They waited for one year. Another one would not have harmed us. Next year election preparation. Point scoring.

Still I wish PSL best of the finals ever.

Unfortunate - I don't know the regulations, since Peshawar Zalmi is out, can Afridi replace any English player who refused to come to Lahore ?

PML-N is pulling all the bunnies out of their bag to gain some cheap publicity....at any cost!!

It is a wise decision that PSL final should be in our country . Those player has also every right to deny being in the squad . But we should also think that thousand of our country men are looking forward to see the match in their
own country . At least PCB will earn a good money and so do the sponsors.

Syed Naseem Ahmed

@Farhan next time when you get into trouble at home and someone refers to IK statement at home please do realize he is the reason of your troubles.....cheers

@Farhan So Imran Khan's statement has more credibility for international players than Najam Sethi and PCB's assurances of providing foolproof security? Thanks for admitting that. Lol.

Players aren't coming because of the obvious threat. They've been told by FICA it's not safe. Security experts say it's not safe. They've heard and seen news of the recent attacks. It IS madness to endanger peoples' lives for a sporting event. KP is quoting IK to make a point because he's saying exactly what every neutral security advisor is. It's not worth the risk and even sane Pakistanis admit it. You can't guarantee security for your own citizens and want to hold a sporting event by locking down the city. How does that help portray Pak as a secure country? Get out of your egos and focus on implementing NAP. Make the country safe first and then think of sport. Holding sporting events to give the illusion it's safe helps no one.

Please calm down, this is the best decision made by PSL Management and PCB to host PSL 2 final in Lahore, even without international players or commentators, it will send a positive message.

@Farhan and why other two pulled out? IK did nothing. Even KP was saying this at the start of PSL. No one will visit Pakistan in such situation we all know it. Let aside politics don't blame anyone.

Money can't buy everything. Good decision by players. This PSL IPL is a joke. First fix the security situation, no bomb blast for at least a year then think about plan about hosting an International cricket. It's not hard if every Pakistani is committed.

It's right of any player to decide. Even if there is no foreign player going to Lahore, PSL final still be successful and will be enjoyed by Pakistanis. As momentum is rightly set the tournament.

IK was right.. whats the point in having final in Lahore if no foreign players are coming??? That would not be international cricket but only domestic.

I was really looking forward to going to Lahore for the match but now I think my TV at home will do!! They should just have the final in Dubai !! and try again next year !! IK not very patriotic with that statement of yours !!

Right decision by the three players....

If Pakistan is safe, everyone will come. But the reality is different. PCB is not being practical. They should have shown patience.

@Ah fully agree.

embarrassment to nation

@Adnan Peshawar Zalmi is not yet out of tournament.

Pakistan has never been an attractive and lucrative place for these foreign players; whether security threats there or not its another matter. as Pak is not a commercial hub like Dubai or India where they could find so many business or commercial deals. Its now only they have excuse of security concerns; had it not be there they would never visit there too. This is the main reason no foreign particpant would ever want to make PSL successful in Pakistan

It was wrong decision made out of ego to conduct PSL final in pakistan. Backing out foreign players will now give more negative publicity of pakistan.

As expected.

So sad no foreigners have trust in Pakistan security. They are just playing for money not for cause of cricket. Security fears and no international players have reduced charms of finaley

Is this all WORTH it?????

Why did government decide to have the final in Pakistan in the first place? We always knew that these players are going to pull out. It's still just a perspective, but there wouldn't have been any of the recent attacks if the government hadn't decided any such thing. There are powers outside Pakistan who would never want Pakistan to get into the international circle. We should've had waited for a better time to host PSL, because we aren't very powerful to resist 'them', not yet.

It was bound to happen. PCB also was aware about it, still they wanted to have it in Lahore keeping in view that it is elections next year and PCB wanted to repay NS in whatever way they could, come whatever may be the consequences.

@ADNAN

No. Afridi now can not represent any of the teams competing in the finals. , R.S. Menon, Bangalore

Thanks for your participation until now. We will take it to Lahore from here, on our own. There is enough momentum.

expected but not a big deal, find a replacement and move on! its not about the one match, its a matter of pride and respect! We are aware who was behind this mess and their target was PSL final specifically. We wont bow down at any cost. Final in Lahore is must for dignity of nation.

To start with the entire PLS should have been in Pakistan. Holding only finial in Lahore is a joke.

We have to move on with or without foreign players!

@Ah slap on the face of our criminal and corrupt to the core politicians who give importance only to their own security and pockets!!

Najam Sethi ha made a mockery of himself and PCB. Why all of a sudden final at Lahore was announced? At the time of contract, was each foreign player told that the final would/could be played in Lahore - definitely not! Its not the fault of any foreign player. Sethi's incompetency at its best!

I only blame imran khan for not supporting this final event and next year whole psl should b shifted to pakistan.MY message to foreign players is dt at this moment no country in this world is safe.

@raja hindustani its not about match brother, its matter of pride now, the whole episode of instability at this particular point in time is unfortunate that is created by your people man! we all know! and we wont bow regardless. no cost is bigger then self-belief and respect.

@Concerned Pakistani "All foreign players will love to come to Karachi as it is safe here." But that was not the intention.

Its a fair decision by foreign players. I think PCB should act wisely and let the final be in Dubai because PSL final in Lahore without foreign players who were actual part of the whole tournament doesn't make sense. Even if we play final in Lahore with local players only then whats the point? It will never revive cricket in Pakistan. However its more a negative impact on PCB and Pakistan.

look at this this would not have been if just we all stayed with intial decision to stay in uae for p.s.l

Only way to create a cordial atmosphere - is a complete clean up all terrorists, without differentiating good and bad. Terrorists are all same.

@Pak_Patriot full proof security was provided to Sri Lankan team and we all know what happened. If PM doesn't feel he is safe and requires so many guards, cars around him then why expect these outsiders to come to Pakistan.

Big blow to the Tournament like this. Decision Makers should have avoided it by stick to Dubai for Final instead of Lahore. Without international Players it will be worthless final.

Life is worth more than cricket or money. good decision.

@Faisal "final in Lahore, even without international players or commentators, it will send a positive message." Then why we bothered them in the first place?

@Ah, "Slap on the face of pakistan cricket"

This is not a slap on Pakistan cricket ! Everyone has the right to care about own safety and the players did what they thought is right for them. Pakistan has a long way to go to improve the security and safety and to build an image of it's own. A lot of work has has to be done to prove to the world that they are sincere in their attempts to get rid of terrorism once and for all !

@Wasi Qureshi IK was not commenting on cricket which you rightly say he knows more about. He was commenting on security which I think PSL organizaers, government and security agencies are in a better position to assess. His comment was purely political as a successful PSL final in Lahore would have tremendously uplifted morale and may have helped PML-N. His sole aim is to spread doom and gloom so his party can win the next election.

Without Foreign Players the PSL Final is anti-climax and the Board should reconsider to hold it in Sharjah or Dubai - there is still time. Najam Sethi, you can wait for the security situation to improve and hold the third PSL in Pakistan. It is also important that the security of Pakistani Players be given due consideration, their lives are also as important as the Foreign Players. Najam Sethi should not make it an ego issue. The Foreign Players are right in their decision - if there is proper security in place then why these blasts and at the same time no arrests?

right decision by players and right decision by my grand parents

@Adnan There is nothing to know about regulations. What you are suggesting is mockery of competitive sports. I think and just about think so don't really know (cause anything is possible in Pakistan) that PSL is a serious tournament and a world class competitive league. Or at least they are trying to project it as one. Can you imagine the consequences and the impression of what you are suggesting?

Money or your life? Wisely chosen...

Fair enough, holding PSL finals in Lahore is Pakistan's defiance against local terrorism.

Final must be played in Lahore to prove the point of safely. Fear is one thing and death is another, one can't run away from death. Stay positive and enjoy the cricket. Show must go on. Good luck everyone.

@Pak_Patriot You're correct. IK does have more credibility than Najam Sethi and PCB among foreign cricketers as he was himself a cricketer, was married to a Brit and continues to cosy up to British elite. It's a shame though that he has chosen to use his influence for personal gain.

The "neutral" advisors, FICA etc you mention have never visited Pakistan and carry a CNN-view of the country based on narrow, biased and agenda-driven reporting focused only on the negative. If an ECO Heads of State conference can be held in Pakistan, so can one cricket match. The government had already said they would provide Head of State level security for the event with a five-tier security around a five-mile radius. Benefits of holding the event would far out-weigh any hypothetical perception of insecurity that the security ring creates.

If foreign players would have played, then this would have been helpful, else it same has local match. Wat wil PSL wil achieve with this

if it is reall safe why were you organising other maches abroad?? Why u taken this decision so late?? why it was confirmed from the plaers when the were signing agreements with respective teams?? IK govt haven't made just wrong decision but Govt is mad.

Holding PSL without foreign players is like watching quaid e azam trophy match...no excitement no fun shd have waited another year but najam sethi is a greedy person

Poor by PCB, what difference this will make to pak cricket, no team will come to pak in present clement,they had to ruined it for all, be ready for a domestic final and less entertaining..

So basically it will be a domestic tournament final in Lahore and still the Government will claim that they were able to host an international event :)

My decision would not have been much different had I been in their place.

First of all WELDONE TO QUETTA they held their nerves, 'the team that handles the pressure carries the day' (Imran Khan, Quote used by Danata) and surely Quetta did it, 19th over afridi hit Anwar for a 6 and sitting miles away I was hoping for Anwar to bounce back and he did removed afridi wohooo game on then the last two balls were nice as well just a single conceded, so who will bowl the last over, Hassaan or saad or 4 overs 46 runs Nawaz, and it was in the end Nawaz who almost removed Sammy however the last three balls three wickets and to not let them score a single run was the best I have seen a Pakistani handle the pressure and I must praise sarfaraz to have shown the fighting spirit as captain, cleared my doubts of match fixing. Kp and co not coming to Lahore no problems you don't need them :) Bismillah khan replaces Luke, Nawaz at 3, sarfaraz 4, mohamadullah 5, tishara 6, anwar 7, hassaan 8, babar, noor wali. Still a spot left well play saad nasim or mir hamza up to you.

A level headed PCB Chief would not have agreed to holding the final at Lahore.

Big slap on PCB face. Embarrassing and shameful. No broadcater, no commentator, no spidercam, no foreign player. It is just another local Pakistani tournament. Meaningless. Pointless. They should have kept it in Sharjah. Let people from Pakistan travel to Sharjah to watch thematch. It will still be a sellout.

The show must go on. People come and go. Institutions are permanent.

Pakistan is not a safe country at all so right decision by those who love their lives and families.

Idea to have the final in Pak was a good one, however sadly now its actually doing more harm than good. The headlines worldwide will be of foreign players refusing due to security concerns and not that cricket returns back.

But I thought foreign players said yes to the final according to PCB, then ?

I think its all right, next time things would be better. We love all the players who have honored us with their presence and amazing games and performance. KP, Luke and all others we will miss you and hope to see you in the next PSL. This is good - and final should be in Pakistan and ab khail jamay ga.

Good decision by foreign players including talented technical Indian professionals in the production team.

Ansolutely fruitless to have the final in Pakistan. It does not assure the world that Pskistan is a safe place. It does not bring foreign players to Pakistan. It does not bring back international cricket to Pakistan. It just puts Lahore at really high risk for no reason. And with the slimming of security outside of Lahore, it puts everyplace else at higher risk for terrorism. Terrible decision by an insincere bunch in power and authority.

Interesting comments. While some are demanding it should be held at Karachi instead Lahore. For every non pakistani , Karachi & Lahore is same. It is a part of Pakistan & if any thing goes wrong , whole blame will be on Pakistan not on Karachi or Lahore .

Second what PCB wants to prove by hosting 3 hr match where number of security personnel will be more than spectator. Foreigners are not naive. Extra ordinary high level security doesn't mean the country is safe. It indicates other wise , that something is not right .

I think all foreign players have not refused to play in Pakistan. Its only Three players from U K. It will not make much difference. To play final in Pakistan is one step ahead to bring cricket in the country. In fact Nazam sethi is trying his best to bring back the cricket glory back to Pakistan. One has to take a step to move forward. I am sure he might have evaluated the security scenario with the experts. After getting assurance and solid planing from all the corners he might have decided to organize PSL final in Lahore. He knows, any untoward, INCIDENT will finish PSL for ever. I am sure he will not like that.

Lesson - learn to pick up ur enemies also - don't pick a fight where u can't win ..

Sat Sri Akal from the other side

@Ah . The Ten Thousand security personnel will be protecting our local players. Wah Wah

@Adnan it is better to keep away from cricket.

It was this same foolish insistence that almost cost the lives of the entire Sri Lankan team in 2009. At that time it was said, that Presidential Level security was given to the visitors. Had it not been for the bravery of the bus driver, things could have turned out far worse. It was stupid to insist again on the venue issue.

Feel sorry for the players that they have to mention their "young family" when they have absolutely no reason to do that. PSL would be destroyed if keep making such unreasonable demands..

Decision to hold PSL final in Lahore may not be the best one but still it shows great resolve of the govt / security apparatus to fight against militancy.. though PSL final will look colorless without foreign players but we have to back the decision made.. there is nothing strange about foreign players reluctance to play in lahoer they thoroughly entertained us by being part of #PSL2..ThankyouAll..

Well deserved slap on the face of PCB / PSL Management despite their tall claims that foreign players would participate.

@Wasi Qureshi Foreign players are consisting IK in their decision making. Also until IK statement and PTI social media's production of negative posts with exaggerated probabilities, nation was that much divided. If you do not do it now it would encourage our enemy that their plan worked. We need to stand tall and does not matter what we should show our resilience and determination to fight against terrorism. French defied such situation and and yes we can too!!! https://www.google.com.au/amp/www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-paris-attacks-fear-and-defiance-20151116-story,amp.html

@Pak_Patriot Not more credibility but enough to create a doubt as an insider's voice when every body should be standing united in giving assurances to these forign players

This shows IK was right. Now what PCB has to say?

Worst message is being passed for the rest of the world. That what Imran Khan was presuming .God knows what will happen in upcoming couple days.Hast Makes Waste.

PSL is Pakistani brand. Very happy that final is in Pakistan. Does not matter Lahore or Karachi. Now we have to back the event and hope all goes well. Not worried about Forigen players. remember Australia tour went on after unfortunate incidence of London attack. If I am wrong please correct me. Good luck to both teams in final and I will pray for success of PSL. PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.

@raja hindustani Not at all there would not be any negativity. Stadium full with public and few foreign players playing, is all we need this time.

Next time enemy would know that does not natter whatever they do this nation is not going to backdown so why bother

PML-N is pulling all the bunnies out of their bag to gain some cheap publicity....at any cost!! especially inview of achieving a publicity stunt for 2018 elections. And PCB / PSL Management are all more than obliging instead of adopting a rational and realistic approach - HOLD THE PSL FINAL IN DUBAI & HOPE FOR THE BEST FOR NEXT PSL EDITION.

@Wasi Qureshi I've been a IK follower and still consider him clean but his remarks have done a horrendous job....Knowing cricket is another thing and its administration is another thing....

These 3 English players KP, LW, TM are back bone of Quetta Gld, it is request to QG Management, let bring Fawad Alam, he is most deserving candidate to replace KP, bring some bright cricketer in QG. Best regards to all 3 cricketers.

This is so childish of Najam Sethi and PMLN run Punjab govt. Why not first check with the international players if they are OK to travel to Lahore before making a grand announcement. Serves Najam Sethi and PMLN right. They need to be embarrassed for their childish politics even with the game of cricket. What good is a final without the star international players in the team.

The players who played an important part to help Quetta reach the finals will not be available coz of stupid decision of PCB...Foreign players are pulling out, what kind of a message will this send to the world??

@Concerned Pakistani
it agree with you, the venue should have been changed from Lahore to Karachi or Rawalpindi as it would be a suicidal decision for foreign player to come to Lahore after recent incidents, therefore they should have asked from the players that whether they would like to change the venue.

@Zakir hussain They were being given fool proof security!

With Najam Sethi at the helm every decision is faulty and every plan can fail.

Even a weak BCCI is far better than PCB.

PSL is a failure.

So much security for local players! What does it prove ?

@SG well said.

Now PCB would bank on India series which will never happen since PCB voted against BCCI in ICC.

We will really miss foreign players but we understand and respect your decision.

Once foreign backed terrorists are dealt with, we look forward to welcoming you back

Good decision by the players its absolutely not worth the risk.

Pakistan has taken a bold decision, personal opinion of the players cannot be termed as an insult to Pakistani Fans in anyway!! We feel proud on the steadfastness of the PCB to holding Final in Lahore, it is a matter of credibility of the State!!! PCB and Najam Sethi deserve greater respect for honouring promises of final game to be held in Lahore.

@Pakistanii IPL is not a joke, except for once in 5 years it always happens in India.

PSL an utter failure.

This is what ISOLATION means.

Modi was right, neighbor isolated.

@TAriq tournament like this!!! cmon, empty stands in UAE...and then u compare it with IPL :)

I am in two minds about whether this was the correct decision or not - that the Final will be held successfully I have no doubt about - but only time will tell whether it will make foreign players and boards change their perception about the safety of playing in Pak.

However, now the decision is made - I think Pakistanis in general and Lahoris in particular must give it their wholehearted support - no point in name calling and finger pointing ... please just make sure it happens safely and that the people that are there enjoy themselves - that is the most important thing now ...

Even International cricketers are Isolating Pakistan..

@Justice Dream on, PSL has been successful and what has this got to do with isolation.

@abdul rehman No surprises, I knew it since day 1.

We pakistanis really appreciate you guys for coming to dubai and being part of psl. We understand your concern and its your right to make a best decision for yourselves without being judged. We look forward to see you next yr. Thankyou

Correct decision supported by the people of Pakistan and that is what matters. Look at the sale of tickets. Shame on those who say we should not play it here. Recently Euro football cup was held in France despite all the terror attacks, the sentiment there was we will not give in to terrorism. Compare that with the comments here we are so quick to criticise our own country and than our neighbours jump in as well.

@rohun let them compare as much as they want, everyone knows the reality.

first they may be convenience to travel lahore for playing final if they do not agree their replaced may be given priority.

@Ah - Its not a slap on Pakistan Cricket at all. Its sad ( but understandable) that foreign players are not willing to go, but it does give Pakistanis the chance to see Cricket at home again. Unfair on Quetta in this case as they will be losing 3 big players.

Personally , i think it should not be in Pakistan as its unfair that the players who got the team to the final, will not be there to play.

If international players refuse to come to Pakistan, who is going to get the message that "PAKISTAN IS SAFE TO RAVEL AND PLAY CRICKET" Pakistani origin players playing against Pakistani origin players. Is it INTERNATIONAL CRICKET?

It all happened because punjab's pm opted for Lahore.

There was clear and present danger and they called it. FICA advised them not to visit Lahore BEFORE the recent wave of terror attacks.

PSL final without foreign players gives the same message as not having the final in Lahore > Security situation is not fit to hold high profile international event in Lahore. PCB should have cut their losses and shifted the final to Lahore as soon as the security situation deteriorated. Now this is snowballing and bringing even worse bad press. Bad handling of the situation.

PCB's decision has caused more embarrassment then the Final in Dubai would have caused. If they are OK to play the finals without the foreign players, they could have played the whole tournament without them in Lahore. If the circumstances were the same as they were before the start of the league, you could blame the players but a lot has changed since then and the players are not at fault. PCB is now attracting more bad press for Pakistan by creating this drama.

Lives of others do not matter to PCB and Sharifs. They will be super safe themselves in any case.

wrong decision by PCB

As expected from foreign players and we respect that and keep working to bring the International cricket in Pakistan.

Backup list fof worst case scenerio says Najam Sethi. This guy cracks me up.

Pakistan has never been an attractive and lucrative place for these foreign players; whether security threats there or not its another matter. as Pak is not a commercial hub like Dubai or India where they could find so many business or commercial deals. Its now only they have excuse of security concerns; had it not be there they would never visit there too. This is the main reason no foreign particpant would ever want to make PSL successful in Pakistan

Family first. I support the decision of the players.

This is very sad that international players who made every effort to lead their teams to semi finals and now finals and will do the same in todays match will no longer be the part of final squad. In my opinion after security threats and specially bomb blast, organizers should have declared final at UAE without vesting time. we wanted to see finalists with their foreign players.

This was doomed for failure, when multiple attacks had occurred. There was no strategy behind the intention of holding the final in Pakistan.

Intl cricket will never return under the current security situation, that needs to be addressed.

If a message was to be given to the terrorists, then surely the PSL finalist could have played an exhibition game after the final with only local players..

Typically the thinking is muddled by the PCB, and it now all seems just an obsession rather assisting Pak cricket!

If you want to hold final after putting your cities on halt, then you should have arranged it at South Waziristan, which is more vulnerable.

Foreign players have every right not to play in Lahore for safety purpose.

@Farhan So, Javaid Minanda is what, PTI President? Imran talked about the real situation here. you won't make any sense. If you are playing with City lockdown what would be your message to the world. "We stupids risk everyone's life to play a cricket match in lahore." The security provided by Govt and Army may lapse as it does happen in few incidents, what will happen then? Pakistan Cricket will be gone for next decade.

It's fair how foreign players are in will bow out of playing anywhere in Pakistan. I know for a fact that rightly n wrongly Pakistani British living in UK think so many times before visiting Pakistan to meet their loved ones or for any other.

@Wasi Qureshi Even that, no more...

@ehsan maher This is a free world; anybody can jump into anybody's articles.

One cannot deny that Pakistan is terror ridden country at-least for now ; lot of work has been done and more needs getting done to be rid of this menace. To host cricket and put International players at risk is reckless to say the least. If playing cricket with snipers on roof top, special forces on stand-by, choppers hovering, surrounded by thousands of security forces; does this paint a picture of a nation at peace and free from terror. Lets not kid ourselves.

What point was PCB trying to prove? Purely with interest of PSL in mind they should have kept thier egos aside and held the finals at Dubai. The hype and success story would have stayed. Now by this negative publicity they have only delayed the return of international cricket to Pakistan.

The final in lahore has sent a very strong signal to the world that Pakistan is unsafe as not only players, but brodcasting company and even the commentators have backed out. So the objective of this event if any is to destroy Pakistans image as a turbulant country

@Farhan please name the benefits?? ECO summit is not a public event at gaddafi stadium around 70000 people wont be involved... may be the players will get head of the states like security what about the people who are going crazy will they have the same kind of security. NO DEAR not ar all this was craziest idea PCB has ever come up with

@Pakistanii IPL is a serious business...

Please try to understand before comment, This is no more about PCB decision is right or wrong as the decision has been made & announced in front of whole world, now being Pakistani this is our responsibility to support government & security agencies at least through positive & supportive messages in social media, Final will be at Lahore! this is what we hed from PCB months before even PSL started, why all these people including IK not stood up to stop that??? and why now just to insult Pakistan & show the world how scary we are?? No it is not like that, Pakistan is Safe & We are Peace Loving Nation & welcome all the international Players.

No surprises- I was expecting this. I just hope the final happens trouble free as there are still high profile Pakistani players and hope fully a packed Gaddafi stadium.

@GAUR .... Perhaps you are living in your own shell. Sport is an exception (with some valid reasons of course). Else India is crying "sour grapes". With increase in Russian co-operation (military sales and joint exercises), CPEC with China (with more countries willing to participate), with trade agreements and transit routes (Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and all the way up to Russia), with the current ECO in Islamabad having 9 heads of countries (of course not India). I reckon this is isolation of India, certainly not Pakistan!

I being a Kashmiri (IOK) was waiting for final but these British stooges showed their real worth ... It is slap on pakistan... Destroy these so called war mongers who have sabotaged this country... I m crying internally...

Wrong decision to hold final in Lahore How would it help to bring back international cricket in Pak if you have to play in so much security amd still under so much fear. Fear will be far greater than the fun of playing. On top of that it will lose its charm without high profile international players. You cant show to others that its safe to play tbere when thousands of security officials will be around like a war zone

@Farhan Yup. He can't just accept that Najam Sethi was doing the right thing.

Well, that was expected. Wasn't it and we are prepared for that.

The final will pale into insignificance if the foreign stars are not there. The whole point of a Lahore final is to portray a image that it's safe for foreign cricket teams, and if foreign stars don't go it sends out a negative message. The final should have been in Dubai. The pcb and the cronies operating within it have a lot to answer for.

A real team mate never, and I mean never leaves his other teammates. But as a family man and bread winner, I understand. Either way the event will be a huge success just like PSL is already. Regional actors who are spoil sports have been snubbed. Event will take place in Pakistan.

Strange!! I always believe that India its behind what happening in our Country including the teams afraid to visit us but after reading all these messages from our own Pakistanis I believe we are also destroying the image of our Country & Nation, why all the international matches happened in Srilanka when they were under war against Tamil Tigers?? how the sports going on in India even though they are under war in almost 7 States?? and also tell which country is safe now a days?? even we saw terrorism in France so now there will be no more Football match?? Please my Friends this is only & only Indian lobby who are not allowing to have any sports in Pakistan they are threatening/buying the Teams & also we all know that all the Terrorism are link to RAW and Terrorist Groups from Afghanistan funding from RAW. PAKISTAN IS NOT THAT BAD!!! PLEASE TRUST OUR ARMY WHO ALREADY STOOD UP AGAINST TERRORISM EVEN IN AFGHANISTAN..I AM PROUD TO BE PAKISTANI.

So thousands of our security personnel were not enough , we could not convince British players to come to Lahore. I am sure lot of cricket fans are terribly disappointed now they have to be content with familiar Pakistani players.

@MAK Great!

@MAK

What "war in seven Indian states" are you talking about? Which TV channel / newspaper do you read?

This final match in Lahore is an ego trip for few. Thousands of security personnel do n't project a positive image, it does n't look like a sport contest rather it looks like carnival just like Lahore horse & cattle show. If every match requires so much security then is it worth it .

Precious life of everyone is more important than a single game. To play a single game the city of Lahore will be locked down. Thousands of security personnel will be involved for the security. If the game goes on without incident (I hope), what the PCB and Government will achieve? Will foreign players will come to Pakistan to play matches? I am sure NO FOREIGN PLAYER will come to Pakistan. PCB and the so-called government should have used common sense. It is not a question of pride but a question of using BRAIN, if they have one.

Imran khan was right Pakistan should wait till next year and not rush.

if you want to build confidence then host entire tournament in Pakistan.

even if no foreign player plays, its still cricket right ??

India succeeded in its endeavor.

@Salman (Kashmir, INDIA) Kashmiri and muslims in india are always with Pakistan.

Four* Rilee rossouw also announced that hes not coming 2 hours ago

It was a wrong decision on the part of PSL to go for finals in Lahore sp after the string of attacks 2 weeks back. One can understand the eagerness of pak cricket association to bring back the game but this can not happen with PSL or even with teams like zimbabwe comming and playing. Pakistan needs atleast one whole terror free year. Plus pak is sufferring from an image problem which even we pakistnais are not ready to accept and do something abt it. Post sri lankan team terror attacks and Osama bin laden episode the country is going through an image problem and that needs to be taken care of.

I cannot understand the wisdom of hosting a match in Pakistan when all notables refused to come. Then call any 11 person in Lahore and arrange a match. This is NOT return of international cricket back to Pakistan. Furthermore, Lahore has seen more terror attacks during the last few months than any other city in Pakistan. What's the logic of having final there?

Right decision by players. Poor decision by management of holding it in Lahore. Instead of strengthening the brand of PSL they are taking a huge risk for which there is very little or no reward in case of success and huge loss incase of 'Godforbid' even a small failure.

@GAUR, well if a PSL tournament is ur barometer for isolation then i feel sorry for u and those who think that. Most of the world doesnt even know about cricket let alone PSL or IPL or any other league. Its a game played by 10-12 odd countries and lacks global following. Slap was on Modi's face in his own home country last year when during the BRICS meeting China openly supported pakistan and even russia didnt stand with india . Intl rankers have improved the country's rankings and increased the economic growth indicators for next year.

@Pak_Patriot well compare to Imran Khan how many people in the cricketing world know your Najam Sethi (what a joke)

You cant blame the foreign players, you would do the same. The person to blame is Sethi and PCB, what did they expect? This is poorly planned. PK can't even protect their own citizens yet you expect foreigners to come who will have a target over their heads? IK is right all this madness for what a lousy cricket game? First get rid of terrorism and extremism and then cricket will be back. Its really not that hard to understand.

@tomUHTO TAWMAYTO My dear do some research and you may find some more.

Najam Sethi has habit of embarrassing PCB and Pakistan at expense of his ego. Last year he went to India, uninvitedly only to be snubbed back. This year he brought local PSL to Lahore under heavy security. What is he trying to prove and when will he learn ?

@Adnan Zalmi still have a chance

Life and family worth,not cricket very well said Ahmed

Foreign players have every right to refuse but fate is something that you can't run away from...look at Michael schumacher, a race car driver all his life but broke his neck in a skiing accident. Players should just refused but they don't need to go to extreme by mentioning their kids and family...

Lets welcome all those who agreed to come and lets not complain for those who refused to participate. Nobody can be force others for any action.

When any other country gets targeted by terrorism everyone else step up to support but when it comes to Pakistan everyone is running away which is totally unfair to the country who sacrificed the most in war against terrorism. It's time for all Pakistanis to stay united and show the world that we are strong nation and at the end we will win and our enemies will lose badly.

good decision to hold final in Lahore. This is histeria and it will settle down once Final is played this year and the next and thereafter in Pakistan.

@Kashif

you are wrong. teams were visiting Pakistan up to 2009. even then the security situation was not so bad. it was the attack on the sri Lankan team that changed everything. it will take lot of time for any team to consider even visiting Pakistan.

@dost

can you blame the foreign players if they value their life more than cricket cause?

it's a very good decession....for cricket game if any one putting life in danger it's clearly a madness...

@Viking Star

yeah, if you say so, sir.

@M. Siddique

and you allowed it to happen. grow up. put your house in order first.

It is going to be a pathetic final then!

@Yourstruly There should not be cricket playing with India.

That is good . Maybe now Mian realised that there is no bad or good terrorists in any way and finish all of them. But this can't happen without changing the mindset of coming generations. And the mindset can only be changed through good education not the education what Taliban teaches. Hope for the best

Wise decision by foreign players.

Why should we care or report who is not coming. We should go on with who ever comes and should welcome them

@Hameed Its PCB who wants to play & not BCCI.

@Concerned Pakistani ... Really!!

Personal safety comes first.

@asad please speak for yourself

Learn to behave or else this will become norm

@Farhan - IK is correct. The whole purpose of playing PSL in UAE - so foreign player can participate. If they do not want participate in PSL final in Lahore. Then what is the point of holding a final in Lahore.

@Gaur, may be foreign umpires?

@Farhan You want him to keep calm or tell a lie about Pakistan's security situation. Even he had not said it or worst case lied None of them will come except some greedy poor players or mad people.

If money is good all will come

are the sri lankans coming???

@asad u ever thought bout emigrating.?.thought not.

@Syed Naseem Ahmed
It is more of a political decision by PCB than caring about Pakistani love for cricket

@Faisal Positive message for whom? The whole world already receive negative message from English players.

I guess lot of foreign players still remember what happened to Sri Lankan team. We never caught perpetrators of the crime. You can't blame foreign players, it is too risky.

Next PSL please invite Indian Players......Najam Sethi knew when the PSL draft was taking place who would travel to Lahore or not, so why pick them? Next Addition please add a further team.....have two groups of three teams.....playing each team best of 3 in each table. You should have two matches in one evening....it will become much more exciting for the cricket fan....over a two week period.....short sharpe and exciting.....everyone sponsor will want a part in it....and guess what it will become much more exciting than any other t20 bash.

Might as well hold all PSL games in Pakistan , give opportunity to Pakistan fans. And those who feel assured can join in from other countries over time.

@Taj M. Wazir "Final must be played in Lahore to prove the point of safely." 5 tier safety for a 3 hour match. Foreign players of winning team refusing to come. Whole city being locked down. Thousands of police and rangers pressed in service to provide security to this one event. How does this prove safety?

Completely understand the players' decision And Completely support PSL for staging the final in Pakistan!

You have to make a start... well done PSL!

Do not expect any of the english to support us....

Cowards. They only care about themselves than a principle.

While watching few matches in PSL I found our players play best for money and not for the country.

@alla bux 100% Agree

@citizen One's life..and family too.

@Adnan Peshawsr Zalmi is still there.

Quetta Gladiators will not win the final. If. Peshawar beats Karachi than Zalmi will win the title.

wrong decision by PCB and Punjab govt. The final should have been in the UAE. We all know the security situation is a concern but still the PCB is adamant.

@Sab se pehle pakistan imran Khan doing politics even on our cricket he cant see Pakistan progressing

@Adnan Peshawar Zalmi is not out... they will play one more match.

Believe me, I feel sad for Pakistan and especially the organizers of the PSL final for the dilemma they are put in to. Nevertheless, without the actual team members of the two teams who reach the final playing, it cannot be called a real final, or the winners be called winners, and the losers be called losers. For that matter you could put any two groups of eleven each on the field give them the names of the two teams who reached the final and have a pretend final. Sorry my friends, but this just does not wash. Incidentally, by the way, with the tickets to the final being as scarce and dear as they are, those that can afford to purchase them in Lahore are the same privileged people who could and would have flown to Sharjah too, so the general public in Pakistan does not stand to gain much from this pomp and show as well as the expense of holding this event in Lahore. The final should have been best left to be played in Sharjah like the rest of the PSL tournament.

PSL is the best league in the world by far. The right competition bw bat and ball have made the matches so exciting that one cant even leave the seat till the last ball. We must congratulate PCB to create such league rather then dull batting paradise picthes where its better to use a use a throwing machine than a bowler. We must respect the decision of the foreign players for not travelling to Lahore for the final, but the Final is about making Cricket the winner. Also its a message that Pakistnis will not bow down and we will always be ready to support our cricketing heroes. Hail Pakistan Hail PCB Hail PSL.

@MAK please come out from mohenjo daro era... just see world with international's eye... and at least you should read www.dawn.com for proper update.

Good bye. Thanks for your paid services.

I think it is the right decision by PCB. There has to be some start for matches in Pakistan and this is a good opportunity.

Even if with lesser foreign players. It will set as an example for the others and show the work that Pakistan is a safe place and we all Love the sport.

@faisal yeah sure, a league which is still being played outside is surely the best.

pcb is not doing a good job we have seen all of pakistani players the people wants to see foreign players in pakistan without foreign players there is no joy of cricket

Final should have been at UAE. No cricket will return to Pakistan due to this event, will take place under thousands of security officials. Seems like organizing Olympic

@Farhan very sensible comments from IK, because majority have this thought

Make one ultimate decision: eradicate terrorism.

@Farhan Not really...considering how bad things have become now...Dont blame others for your ncometence. Why would anyone risk their life because you guys cant do your job!!!

Just reading the comments about "Foreign" players, grow out of your "foreign" complex fellow Pakistanis, support your local boys to victory.

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - and superego must not go!

@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad and the only "institution is" ?

I don't care whether IK or Miandad or for that matter who commented what . What I feel sorry about this Lahore attack is its impact on Pakistan cricket apart from the loss of innocent lives and injuries to innocent people. "THE GAME OF CRICKET HAS LOST ANOTHER BATTLE TO TERRORISM IN PAKISTAN. Too bad . So sad for any cricket lover.

We have jumped the gun Should have waited till next year.