The month-long event of PSL 2018 is finally coming to an end. Last two PSL playoffs will take place on 21 and 22 March.
The first eliminator will take place between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. The winning team will face Karachi Kings in the next eliminator. And the final will take place between the winner of second eliminator and Islamabad United.
Pakistani cricket fans are excited as this year they are getting to watch three matches on the home soil. PSL playoffs for which the tickets are already on sale will take place in Lahore, while final will be held in Karachi.
Foreign Players Coming to Pakistan for PSL Playoffs
Just like the last year, the fear of international cricketers not coming to Pakistan for PSL playoffs is still looming over. The unfortunate Raiwind bomb blast has also made foreign players back off from their decision of coming to Pakistan. Luckily, most of the players are ready to play the last matches of PSL on Pakistani soil.
Let’s have a look at foreign players from each of the qualifying teams who are ready to play PSL playoffs on Pakistan.
Karachi Kings
Five players that include Tymal Mills, Ravi Bopara, Joe Denly, and David Weisse and Colin Ingram will come for Playoffs, according to reports.
Lendi Simmons who had earlier agreed to visit Pakistan reportedly is now not coming due to personal reasons.
Unfortunately, Eoin Morgan another key player of Karachi Kings will not travel to Pakistan due to family reasons.
Peshawar Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi that won the PSL 2 final in Lahore will play the first eliminator against Quetta Gladiators with its full squad. Even, last year most of the players on the team had come to Pakistan for playing the final. While all of its players will arrive in Lahore, Dwayne Smith will not play due to family commitments. The team has contacted Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib al Hasan who is reportedly not available due to injuries.
Islamabad United
Islamabad United, the winner of the first season, has already qualified for the final. The team will also play in Pakistan with most of its squad intact. Its five foreign players Luke Rochi, Samit Patel, Chadwick Walton, JP Duminy and Samuel Bedree will arrive in Pakistan. Reports suggest that Steven Finn will also come to Pakistan.
Quetta Gladiators
Quetta Gladiators, the runners-up of last two seasons, are unlucky because like last year, most the critical players on the team are not coming for PSL playoffs. Star cricketers Shane Watson and Kevin Peterson and Jason Roy will not travel to Pakistan. But Sri Lankan cricketer Theisra Pereira and Australian cricketer Chris Green will play for Quetta Gladiators on the first eliminator. Reports suggest that West Indian batsman Johnson Charles and South African player Rilee Rossouw will also come to Pakistan for PSL playoffs.
PSL 2018 final will take place in Karachi on March 25. ICC experts have already shown satisfaction with security arrangements.
