‘Lahore should not have hosted the PSL final’

The recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore did not do anything for the return of cricket to Pakistan, or for the betterment of the country’s cricket structure. It was just a political move by Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PMLN). There are bigger issues in Pakistan, which need immediate resolution, rather than the statements made by Pakistan Movement of Justice (PMJ) leader Imran Khan. The public needs to analyse the situation in a much more pragmatic way.

The PSL final brought a bit of glamour and entertainment, and packed the Gaddafi Stadium for one evening, which any Twenty-20 (T20) game would. But this one tournament, played under high security, will not bring back world-class international cricketers to the grounds of Pakistan. The nation’s government needs policies, with immediate and effective implementation, to bring down terrorism and bring back world-class cricket.

I fully support Khan’s views – that Lahore should not have hosted the PSL final. With the current security threats, it was impractical to hold such a large public event. The government’s claim that this would bring international cricket back to Pakistan, was even more absurd. I feel this was just another political stunt by the federal government. By shutting down schools of the city three days before the final, closing all roads leading to Gaddafi Stadium, and calling in nearly 8,000 police officials, rangers and army men, the government was giving the impression that all was well in the country. But it was more of a lockdown and curfew situation in Lahore. It is well known that the nation is desperate for cricket and people would go to the stadium in droves, especially for a PSL match. But cricket became a lollipop the government gave to the poor and crying masses of the country.

Let’s not forget that Khan is not just the head of the second-largest political party in the country, but a world-class cricketer and the captain of the team that brought many laurels for the nation, the biggest being the World Cup of 1992. So when Khan said ‘marginal cricketers’ do not bring anything good to any cricketing side, he is 100 per cent accurate. The players in the Quetta Gladiators’ final team were not just marginal, they were not even Test qualifying players, for their respective countries. Cricket boards involve world-class players in their leagues. Watching them is the greatest learning experience for youngsters and they are supposed to take competition in the league to another level. That’s what is required. Does anybody think the PSL final brought this to our country? No!

It would have been better to host the whole of PSL in Pakistan, even if the international players had refused, as Khan said. If this was not possible, budding cricketers from Quetta should have been given the opportunity to play at Gaddafi Stadium. Big crowds and the pressure to perform would have brought out real sportsmen from any individual.

The reader is based in Lahore, Pakistan.