Karachi set to witness PSL final between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi amid tight security
Karachi is all set to witness the final showdown of the third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) between defending champions Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United amid tight security.
Today, Islamabad United, winners of the inaugural edition of the PSL will take on last year’s winners Peshawar Zalmi at Karachi’s National Stadium for the 2018 trophy.
Huge billboards and portraits of players have been placed in the city to welcome the cricketers. More than 30,000 cricket fans are expected to throng the stadium to watch the fixture.
Loving this festive vibe in Karachi 😍 Large billboards and posters put up in Karachi to welcome local and foreign cricket stars for #PSLFinalinKarachi #PSL3 #DilSeJaanLagaDe #PakistanZindabad #Cricket 🏏 pic.twitter.com/BUQP6FiJe2
— Islamabad Scene (@IslamabadScene) March 25, 2018
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) along with the support of Sindh government has decorated the metropolis to welcome and honor the game and its players.
Brilliant branding of PSL in Karachi. Almost every road is filled with players pictures and PSL hoardings. Can’t think of any other city that has welcomed cricket as passionately as Karachi has. #DilSeJaanLagaDe #PSL
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) March 25, 2018
After a gap of nine years, the National Stadium will light up today to welcome cricket’s homecoming to Pakistan’s biggest city, as thousands of fans will flock to the National Stadium to witness two great teams face off for the PSL 2018 trophy.
The Pakistan Super League final has brought more shine to the ‘city of lights’ that Karachi is, stated Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor.
In a tweet posted Sunday, DG ISPR thanked the Pakistan Cricket Board, foreign players, government administration, security apparatus and people of the country.
PSL Final brings more glitters to ‘City of Lights’. Thanks to PCB, foreign players, govt administration, security apparatus and the resilient Pakistanis. Terrorism imposed on us is on the way out; we are on the way to our rightful destination of enduring peace and stability, IA.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) March 25, 2018
Karachi has not hosted a high-profile cricket event since an armed attack on the Sri Lankan team in early 2009, which virtually halted international cricket in Pakistan.
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PM Abbasi to attend final
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will be chief guest of the PSL final while various high ranking civil and military officials, political personalities and renowned people from different walks of life will watch the match in the stadium.
Security Arrangements
Extraordinary security arrangements have been made to ensure that the event passes off peacefully.
More than 8,000 security officials, including 800 Special Security Unit (SSU) commandos, and personnel of the Rangers and police, will perform their duties at designated places at the stadium and surrounding areas.
All the roads leading to the venue have been blocked for all traffic and the areas surrounding the stadium have also been put under surveillance to avoid any untoward incident.
Special parking zones have been set up with shuttle services to take spectators to the venue from various designated pickup points.