Imran Khan unable to attend PSL 2017 final, prays match concludes without incident

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday asked the Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Shaharyar Khan to excuse him for not being able to attend the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) final and thanked him for the invitation.

Khan said he won't be able to come to the event but he prays the PSL tournament concludes without any incident.

Tomorrow's deciding match is scheduled to be played in Lahore, the city that fell prey to a recent surge in terror attacks across the country.

With security on high alert and expectations of a high turn-around tomorrow, Khan wished the players well.

"I am hopeful the nation as well as cricket fans will have an opportunity tomorrow to witness exemplary cricket," Pakistan's legendary cricketer-turned-politician added.

Earlier in the day, Khan had said he wished all tickets for seats in an enclosure named after him at the Gaddafi Stadium would be free for fans hoping to experience the much-awaited showdown.

Know more: Tickets for Imran Khan Enclosure at Gaddafi Stadium should be free for fans: PTI chief

The Gaddafi Stadium, where tomorrow's deciding match will be held, is divided into sections named after prolific former Pakistan cricket team players.

"It is quite unfair to have tickets priced at Rs12,000 with cricket being played in Pakistan after such a long time,” he was quoted as saying. "This is injustice with cricket fans."

Khan further alleged that the PSL tournament had been turned into an event for the "elite".

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Comments (29) Closed

mUHAMMAD zAFAR iQBAL

Mar 04, 2017 10:02pm

he has only to attend the match as P.M, not as cricketer or like common pakistani ,

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Israr

Mar 04, 2017 10:02pm

Wellsaid sir, we all hope match concludes without any incident and it stays like this forever

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sholay

Mar 04, 2017 10:04pm

Yes ur so super star ur not what u think u are

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FAisal

Mar 04, 2017 10:20pm

Another U turn as usual

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imtiaz syed

Mar 04, 2017 10:47pm

A god gifted man to Pakistan. Challenge the whole status quo on his own. Spun the corrupt mafia of Pak.

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Salman (Kashmir, INDIA)

Mar 04, 2017 10:54pm

Imran Khan has been making the right noises since the very beginning. It seems he is the only sane voice left. Have become a big fan of him. Respect from a Proud Indian Kashmiri from Srinagar.

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Pagla

Mar 04, 2017 11:11pm

Why attend? Its not the Panama case!!

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Mar 04, 2017 11:43pm

Rs.12,000 ticket price is outrageous. IK said it right and made the correct decision about not attending the PSL - What is fun in watching the game when one is surrounded by thousands of security men at the expense of public exchequer to prove a point when there is no point to prove. Another ridiculous decision on part of the administration to close down the city for the match which is incurring irrecoverable losses to small businesses as well as taking away earnings from the daily wage labor so they cannot feed themselves and their families. Is it worth it to have the match at the expense of ordinary people and the small businesses?

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Haal

Mar 04, 2017 11:45pm

He is unable to attend as he is very busy in making KPK great again.

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tuk

Mar 05, 2017 12:39am

So what is he going to be doing when whole country will be watching the game?

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Imran khan (mardan)

Mar 05, 2017 01:01am

Everybody knows why IK isn't going to attend the final after all what he said about it can't just be forgotten. It will be hugely embarrassing for him to attend the match that he was so deadly against organising it in the first place in Pakistan.

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Ilias from NL

Mar 05, 2017 02:07am

Now I'm wondering if this nice guy ever stand for Pakistan but for own self ( Mostly just talk about PTI or taking advantage to politicize any opportunity no mater how and where from it come. I always been his fan but now a see him just talking about benefits of limited area rather then whole Pakistan. very sorry !

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valimuhammad

Mar 05, 2017 02:34am

I admire IK for his astute leadership as cricket captain, and for the example he has set young players, to bring Pakistan cricket to what it is today. But I sometimes I feel that he behaves like a spoiled child, and does not show maturity in certain matters. And for this kind of behavior we had a name for the person" Khisiani billi khamba nochay" I hope my reader friends understand this!

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Scary

Mar 05, 2017 02:57am

Thank God, he is not coming.

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Fiz

Mar 05, 2017 03:24am

What a disappointment his attitude is.

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Samad Chaudhry London

Mar 05, 2017 03:47am

He won't be missed for sure

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Sameer

Mar 05, 2017 04:13am

I cant go. Rs 12k a ticket...I hope the rich have fun.

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Pakman

Mar 05, 2017 04:49am

Anyone championing the cause of Corruption free Pakistan, Likely to be on the hit list of the Corrupt. Good move to stay away.

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Torus makto

Mar 05, 2017 05:16am

At least the psl 2017 final in Lahore will be way better tha. 2014 dharna since the situation has improved in the country contrary to the pti chiefs claims. Sorry to see khan supporting the narrative of those who don't want Pakistan to prosper, he is only waiting for his govt to be in power and he will do exact same things ns is doing , ik wants fake credit and political mileage he does not care about nations benefit

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Vimal

Mar 05, 2017 05:43am

He knows something we don't of what is going to happen.

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Muhammad Shrafat

Mar 05, 2017 07:14am

This man destroying things that heightened him once for all.

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M. Jan

Mar 05, 2017 07:29am

Imran Khan seems to go overboard with his politics by opposing everything that the government does. I think, its a huge mistake on Imran's part to talk down this event. He must be able to make a distinction between the political interests and national interests. Playing the PSL final in Lahore is a good decision in terms of displaying the defiance of the Pakistani nation against terrorism and needs the support of every patriotic Pakistani. I would have liked Imran leading a procession to go to the stadium to watch the match rather than undermining it.

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Sarwar, USA.

Mar 05, 2017 07:49am

@FAisal ...how many U turn by Nawaz family took during panama corruption case.

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M. Jan

Mar 05, 2017 08:24am

I have a lot of respect for Imran Khan. He is a remarkable man, a true legend. However, his decision to oppose the playing of the final match in Lahore seems to be bad politics. I don't understand how not playing in Pakistan would have sent a better message to the world than playing it under heightened security. If the authorities manage to prevent violence during the event that would send a very positive message and will help convince many players to return to playing in Pakistan in the near future. Nowadays, sport is played under strict security in all of south Asia and indeed around the world. The aim is to re-establish the trust of the international players in the 'ability' of the Pakistani authorities to provide that security. This is a good opportunity to achieve that goal and worth the risk.

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dost

Mar 05, 2017 08:28am

Being a very popular senior player and leader he must be there for encouragement of players, fans and country men. Leaders should lead from front but he is irresponsible

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Mar 05, 2017 09:17am

@mUHAMMAD zAFAR iQBAL Very true;Sir.

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Ansari91

Mar 05, 2017 09:58am

@tuk His efforts are all known to Pakistanis, which is to fight against the corrupt and status quo. When CM of PCB is himself corrupt, what message it gives? BTW is your PM or CM attending the match?

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Hammad

Mar 05, 2017 02:59pm

I am not gonna watch as the legend imran khan is not going to watch match

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shdhsn

Mar 06, 2017 02:17am

All party heads should have attended the event to show, it is beyond politics.

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