< >

Top overseas players pull out of PSL final in Lahore

by Manuj Sharma Thursday 2 March 2017

Kevin Pietersen is among the players, who will miss the PSL final

©REUTERS

Following Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) announcement of scheduling the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) edition, several foreign players have pulled out of the encounter citing security reasons.

The final of the tournament is scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium on 5th March with Quetta Gladiators being the first team to make it to the contest and will lock horns with one among Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi, who will feature in the third qualifying final on Friday.

PSL is already estimated to have attracted over 50 million people in Pakistan but the matches have been played in their adopted home of United Arab Emirates due to security reasons.

However, in a bid to bring back international cricket to Pakistan, PCB executive committee chairman Najam Sethi confirmed that the final will be played in Lahore where a recent terror costed the life of 150 people.

Quetta Gladiators' four foreign players Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Tymal Mills and Rilee Rossouw have already confirmed their intention of missing the Lahore encounter.

"It's with a heavy heart I will not be coming to Lahore," all-rounder Wright said. "I have a young family and for me a game of cricket is just not worth the risk.

"I'm sorry as I know how much it means to you all and hopefully in the future the safety will not be in doubt to come (and) play there."

Former South Africa international Rossouw added: "For those still unsure it's with a sad heart that I must announce that I will not be taking part in the final."

Meanwhile, Pietersen confirmed his departure to London in the social media platform Twitter.

Earlier, Sethi also added that a draft process will be conducted before the final to allow the teams pick their foreign players for the all important clash.