Earlier this year, after a lot of discussions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) managed to successfully stage the final of the second edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) in their homeland. The Gaddafi Stadium of Lahore hosted the final between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.
However, in the next season, 3 matches are set to be played in Pakistan, and 15 foreign players have already given a green signal on their participation.
Though some foreign players like Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels and Sean Ervine travelled to Lahore to play the final match, it wasn’t completely Hunky-dory for the PCB to take the overseas cricketers to the then cricket-starved country. But things have changed in last one year, and the players are more open to playing in Pakistan.
As per the confirmation from the head of the sports desk of Dawn News, Abdul Ghaffar, as many as 15 overseas cricketers are ready to play in the cricket-crazy nation, if their teams make it to the playoffs. 2 playoffs of the third season of PSL are set to be held in Lahore, whereas the venue of the final will be Karachi.
2 play offs in Lahore and Final in Karachi #PSL3 https://t.co/MWcZOjNu9X
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) November 15, 2017
Amongst the 15 foreign cricketers who are ready to play in Pakistan, there are some big names like JP Duminy and Shane Watson.
The full list: Darren Sammy, JP Duminy, Shane Watson, Imran Tahir, Carlos Brathwaite, Colin Ingram, Luke Ronchi, Colin Munro, Luke Wright, Darren Bravo, Tamim Iqbal, Sam Billings, Andre Fletcher & David Wiese.
Players ready to play PSL in Pakistan.
Darren Sammy, J.P. Duminy, Shane Watson, Imran Tahir, Carlos Brathwaite, Colin Ingram, Luke Ronchi, Colin Munro, Luke Wright, Darren Bravo, Tamim Iqbal, Sam Billings, Andre Fletcher, David Wiese. #PSL3 https://t.co/WbIij7Bcew— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) November 15, 2017
Whilst 15 foreign cricketers are ready to visit Pakistan, 5 men are yet to give a testimony. They are Chris Lynn, Mustafizur Rahman, Evin Lewis, David Willey & Jason Roy.
Chris Lynn, Mustafizur Rahman, Evin Lewis, David Willey and Jason Roy will decide on the matter before or during the league, after they receive a security briefing. Johnson, Morgan unlikely. Gayle refused . https://t.co/KjTBmj6aNz
— Abdul Ghaffar 🇵🇰 (@GhaffarDawnNews) November 15, 2017
Though the final will be played in their home ground, the Karachi Kings are very likely to miss two of their prized possessions- Eoin Morgan and Mitchell Johnson, since they are not willing to go to Pakistan. Chris Gayle, who is not a part of any PSL team this year, was against playing in Pakistan.
