Giles Clarke bats for PSL final in Lahore

Chairman International Cricket Council (ICC) Task Force on Pakistan Giles Clarke voiced his support Sunday for a Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore despite a recent wave of terror attacks in the country.

Clarke, in an exclusive interview with DawnNews, said holding the PSL final in Lahore would send a strong message to terrorists that "we will not bow down to them".

"I have a very strong opinion that we should never, ever allow terrorism and terrorists to dictate what we do. Terrorists have no place in our society or anywhere on earth," Clarke said.

"They (terrorists) should share whatever arguments they have. They should present them without killing and injuring fellow citizens," he said, adding that bombs and bullets do not explain anything.

Clarke said that Pakistanis are "true cricket lovers" and they deserve to see their "heroes and world stars" playing at home.
"I thinks it's extremely important that the people of Pakistan watch their heroes playing cricket at home against the best players in the world ─ and in the case of PSL, both with and against them.
"Pakistanis are cricket fanatics and have a great knowledge of cricket and I'm sure they want to see the best players playing at home and enjoy thrilling matches."

"There is a lot of unpredictability about games and it is exciting... The premier domestic event of Pakistani cricket must be held in Pakistan so that the people of Pakistan are able to watch and enjoy cricket."