Cricket: PSL final might pave way for international cricket in Pakistan

Pakistani cricket fans and enthusiasts made the most of the PSL final in Lahore on Sunday.

Pakistan Super League chairman Najam Sethi's decision to host the final in Lahore had not many backers in the beginning. But the successful staging of the big event might change the perception and international teams may start thinking of visiting Pakistan again.
Security personnel deserve a pat on their back for organising an incident-free event. Although residents of Lahore suffered due to the closure of some roads near the stadium, the shuttle service was organised for the fans who were forced to park their vehicles away from the venue and there were no complaints from any quarter.
People abroad might have a different idea about Pakistan and Lahore but cricket enthusiasts have portrayed a different picture on Sunday and everything was looking absolutely normal.
Liberty Chowk, the scene of terror attack on Sri Lankan team in 2009, presented a different scenario on Sunday as fans gathered there since morning to enter the ground and watch the final.
Foreign players and officials who travelled to Lahore for the final were happy and it may augur well for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.
Sethi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board's executive committee, said he looked at the PSL final as the opening for Pakistan to bring back international cricket.
He tweeted on Monday: "Lahoris! Pakistanis! Thank you for believing in PSL and Pakistan. Together we shall overcome!"
The world was keeping an eye on the final as many security advisors from different countries were here to witness the event. They might give a positive report to their respective boards and it can go in Pakistan's favour.
Security advisor to the ICC Sean Norris was present at Gaddafi Stadium. Representatives from England (Reg Dickason and Julian Siebrand), Australia (Sean Carroll), Sri Lanka (Sarathchandra Liyanage), Bangladesh (Major AKM Anisud Dowla) and an independent expert from Nicholls Steyn and Associates (Robert Nicholls) also travelled to Lahore.
An immediate revival of international cricket in Pakistan will take some time. But lovers of cricket in Pakistan has indicated that those days are not far away when places like Gaddafi Stadium will be full of activity.
liaqat@khaleejtimes.com