Gayle, Sangakkara won’t play PSL final due to terror fear

West Indies’ swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle and Sri Lankan duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have refused to travel to Lahore to play the final match of the ongoing second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), in the wake of the recent terror attacks in the nation.

The trio playing for the PSL franchise Karachi Kings has declined to visit Pakistan despite being made lucrative financial offers by the league organisers.

According to the Express Tribune, as many as 50 cricketers have expressed their desire to participate in the title-deciding match after the PSL organisers, after a high-level meeting on the matter, decided to go ahead with the match in Lahore.

Reportedly, the PCB also offered between 10,000 dollars and 50,000 dollars on the top of the salaries in order to bring international players on board.

Earlier, there had been speculation that the PSL final may not be held in Pakistan, leave alone Lahore, after the February 13 suicide bombing in which 13 people were killed.

However, in a meeting held between PSL chairman Najam Sethi and five franchise owners on Monday it Dubai, it was decided that the final would take place in Lahore, whether the foreign players agree to come or not.

The league will now give franchisees the option to draft new players in case contracted international stars opt out of the March 5 final at Lahore due to security reasons.

Source: Hindustan Times