Shahid Afridi hails PCB's decision to host PSL final in Pakistan, says wants to play farewell match in Lahore

Karachi: Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, has expressed desire to play his farewell match in Lahore.

Afridi is representing Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is looking focused on winning a play-off match against Quetta and securing a place in the final which will be played at the headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Earlier, Afridi was in constant touch with the PCB for a rousing send-off, but the matter did not materialize.

The flamboyant all-rounder also hailed the decision to host the PSL`s final in Lahore, saying that it was a well thought out decision of the country`s cricket board and the Punjab Government.

"Decision to hold PSL final in Lahore is massive and I am really looking forward to it," the Dawn quoted Afridi as saying.

Afridi, however, refrained from commenting on the statement by former great and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan, who opposed the hosting of PSL final in Lahore.Afridi said he "is not at same stage [as] Imran Khan", adding all must contribute to the success of the PSL final in his opinion since the decision has been taken now.

On Monday, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed that the final match of the PSL will be held in Lahore on March 5 as scheduled.

The doubts over whether the PCB should hold the PSL final in Lahore rose following the February 13 suicide bombing in which 13 people were killed.

It should be noted that Pakistan have not hosted any international cricket tournaments since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009, when six Pakistani policemen were killed and some of the visiting players were injured.