Peshawar Zalmi’s batsman Shahid Afridi has hinted at West Indies star and the franchise captain Darren Sammy?s availability for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, provided that their team qualifies.
The former Pakistan skipper, however, added that an official announcement of the “good news” would only be made after his side?s all-important third play-off against the Karachi Kings.
Speaking following his side?s recent two-wicket defeat at the hands of Quetta Gladiators in Dubai, Afridi insisted that despite losing the last-ball thriller against the latter side, his team are fully geared up for their upcoming match.
“Every player in our team knows their role and we are ready to face Karachi Kings in the playoff. Young players are also performing,” the Dawn quoted Afridi as saying.
Earlier, PSL chairman Najam Sethi had reassured that the two teams which will qualify for the league’s final in Lahore will field four foreign players each.
Sethi’s comments came after four foreign players of Quetta Gladiators, namely star batsmen Kevin Pietersen and Rilee Rossouw, all-rounder Luke Wright and fast bowler Tymal Mills confirmed their unavailability for the final despite the team qualifying for it.
Meanwhile, Quetta Gladiators mentor and West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards and fielding coach Julien Fountain had confirmed that they would be travelling to Lahore for the finals.
Earlier, there were doubts whether the PCB would hold the PSL final in Lahore following the February 13 suicide bombing in which 13 people were killed.
However, in a meeting held earlier this month between the PSL management and the five franchise owners in Dubai, it was decided the summit clash of the tournament would be held at the PCB headquarters on March 5 as per schedule.
Last Monday, the Punjab government also gave its 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.
ANI