PSL: It's over to lahore

Dubai - After 23 enthralling matches in Dubai and Sharjah in the ongoing second instalment, the PSL proceeds to its rightful home - Pakistan.

Eight years and two days to the day after that attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, cricket returns to Pakistan with the staging of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the 'City of Gardens.'
That incident in 2009 still lurks in the background and Pakistan cricket has had to pay a heavy price for that. But the people of Pakistan, the 'Awam' of Pakistan shouldn't be held hostage because of that incident, however unfortunate it may be.
They have been starved of big time cricket back in Pakistan with their national team virtually leading a nomadic life, playing most, if not all their series here in the UAE. The UAE has been a 'home' away from home for Pakistan and the inaugural edition of the PSL was held here. After 23 enthralling matches in Dubai and Sharjah in the ongoing second instalment, the PSL proceeds to its rightful home - Pakistan.
And it is set up to be a battle between the north and the south. It is not any one of the top cities of Pakistan - the capital Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi - who will be contesting the final. It will be Peshawar Zalmi from the north KPK province and the Quetta Gladiators from the southern region of Balochistan, undoubtedly the two best sides this time, who will be squaring off at the iconic venue, the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday night.
Recent events in Lahore as well as other parts have meant unprecedented security, a security that the government said is ususally reserved for a head of state. The Gaddafi Stadium, which hosted the 1996 World Cup final, has been turned into a fortress with a protective perimeter around it, stretching over two kilometres.
That security is not being taken lightly can be judged from that fact that the Rangers, Pakistan's paramilitary force will be on hand along with the Lahore province's Punjab police, on Sunday. it means 10,000 security personnel will be out in full force and they will also be making use of scanners and hi-tech surveillance gadgets on the day.
It is also being said that a makeshift hospital has also been set up.
This kind of security has been put in place to allay the fears of foreign players who were unwilling to travel. But, despite all this, the Quetta Gladiators foreign contingent of Kevin Pietersen, Luke Wright, Tymal Mills and Rilee Roussouw, decided against making the trip. The Quetta Gladiators have got replacements though, dipping into a pool of 12 to pick South Africa's Morne van Wyk, Bangladesh's Anamul Haque and Zimbabwe duo Elton Chigumbura and Sean Ervine.
Meanwhile, Peshawar Zalmi's management have said all along that their foreign players will make it to Lahore.
There will be a tinge of sadness though in the Peshawar Zalmi camp as their talisman Shahid Afridi will not be playing the final. Afridi was injured during the game against the Karachi Kings and his right hand required 12 stitches. The doctors advised him 10 days rest and Afridi will take no further part. But knowing the man, he will be motivating his men from the dug-out in Lahore. So, it's over to Lahore and Pakistan.
james@khaleejtimes.com