ICC security consultant gives thumbs up to security arrangements for PSL final
Getty
ICC security consultant Reg Dickason, after his detailed review, has expressed his satisfaction over the security arrangements in Karachi for this year's PSL final. The Pakistan Cricket Board decided to host this year's final in Karachi after the success of the last year showdown in Lahore.
Dickason visited Karachi in order to inspect if the proper security had been planned for the PSL final this year, which is scheduled to be held at the National Stadium in March. While Pakistan has hosted some international cricket over the past one year, all the matches have been organized in Lahore while Karachi failed to obtain the approval of independent security consultants for the last year league final. Karachi last hosted an international match back in 2009 - a Test match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, just a week before the terrorist attack on the Lankan team bus in Lahore and that Test also became the last completed Test in the country.
"From what we have seen today and what was demonstrated and documentation and level of commitment by all of these people here, I am very very satisfied," Dickason said, reported Cricbuzz.
"It was such comprehensive, thorough and professional presentation with the efforts of all agencies including that of Najam Sethi from the PCB and the board's security department. It is very encouraging and it will be reflected in any subsequent report I will give to the PCB and the ICC."
During Sunday’s security rehearsal, over 8000 security personnel from various law enforcement agencies took part and replicated the arrangements for the teams who arrive in the city on the day of the final.Â
After checking the rehearsal programme, Dickason was happy about the arrangements in place but stressed that the final decision did not rest with him while adding that playing the final in Karachi "would be a very positive step. What we've seen today and in other parts of Pakistan is as good as I've seen in all my years."Â
The PCB want to host at least three PSL games in the country this year, with two qualifiers in Lahore before the final in Karachi.
