Imran Khan: Wanted whole PSL in Pakistan, not just final

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan wanted PSL to be hosted in country but says terrorism scares foreigners when highlighted.

With questions being raised whether the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final would be held in Lahore following the deadly blast that killed over a dozen people on Monday, cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan has said that he wanted the entire event to be held in the nation, adding that “when terrorism happens, it gets highlighted more, and foreigners get scared”.

Former Pakistan captain turned politician Imran Khan talks to reporters outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad on Wednesday. (AP)

There is fear foreign players would avoid competing in the PSL final in Lahore, scheduled for March 5, following the Monday terror attack. “I wanted the whole PSL in Pakistan, not only just the final,” Khan was quoted as saying by news.com.au.

“But the problem is that when terrorism happens, it gets highlighted more, and foreigners get scared,” he added. The five-team PSL, which began last week in the United Arab Emirates, is already being marred by match-fixing row.

Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had assured “foolproof security” for the PSL finalists, following the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) advice to players not to tour Pakistan due to an extremely elevated state of insecurity in the country.