Lahore: Three English players bow out of PSL final citing security concerns

Three English players from the Quetta Gladiators announced on Wednesday that that they will not be participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final to be played in Lahore on March 5 over security issues.

The development comes despite the Punjab government deciding to accord both the teams contesting the PSL final five-tier security to avert any eventuality.

Quetta Gladiators qualified for the finals on Tuesday after beating Peshawar Zalmi in a nail biter by one run in Sharjah, reports Dawn.

Kevin Pietersen, Tymal Mills and Luke Wright took to Twitter to make the announcements.

Luke Wright said in a tweet that he has a "young family" and for him the game was not "worth the risk". "It's with a heavy heart I will not be coming to Lahore," he tweeted.

Bidding farewell to Dubai, Pietersen also informed that he too would be returning to his family in London.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the Quetta Gladiators told DawnNews that the three English players had officially informed the team management about their decision to not travel to Lahore for the final.

The official revealed that attempts were made to convince the players to head to Lahore, but they were reluctant to do so following the recent terror attacks in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, PSL is also busy with replacing foreign commentators - including Danny Morrison, Alan Wilkins and Mel Jones - who have backed out from covering the final, and reports suggested that PCB is in talks with Waqar Younins, to take up the job of commentator.

Noting that there is a backup list of players for a worst-case scenario, PSL Chairman Najam Sethi had earlier assured the presence of foreign players in the final.

Last Monday, the Punjab government gave the go-ahead for the final to take place in Lahore following thorough consideration and evaluation of security conditions in the country following a series of bomb blasts in the preceding weeks.

In an interesting development, former title holder of Miss Kurdistan and Miss Kurdistan World, Shene Aziz Ako has said that she is looking forward to attending the PSL final and show support for the game, reports GeoTV.