Pakistan Admits International Player Warning May Affect Pakistan Super League

Pakistan on Wednesday "tried to brush aside security worries over its first major Twenty20 league but admitted a warning from the international players association not to take part may have an impact," according to the AFP. Pakistan Super League adviser Haroon Lorgat insisted that the dire warnings from Federation of Int'l Cricketers Associations CEO Tim May "were not an attack on the league itself" and said that "the competition had had a positive response from players and sponsors." Lorgat said, "While we understand that sort of a statement from the players' association, but I don't think we necessarily agree with it -- the reality is different and the league will happen" (AFP, 1/23). REUTERS reported Pakistan Cricket Board Chair Zaka Ashraf said that Pakistan will offer visiting players insurance worth $2M each in "a bid to overcome security fears and revive international cricket in the country." Ashraf said, "We are taking all steps to revive international cricket here, and everyone should feel proud about the efforts we have made in this regard. [People] are afraid that they would be subjected to a shoot-out as soon as they come out of the airport. There is lot of effort required to change this perception because things are definitely not so bad here" (REUTERS, 1/23).

SEEKING RELEASE: The PTI reported in an effort to rope in as many int'l players as possible for PSL, the PCB had approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India "to release Indian players for the T20 tournament." Asked if Indian players would take part in the league, PCB COO Subhan Ahmed said that the PCB "was not only directly in touch with players from all countries but also their Boards." Additionally, the PCB "had not ruled out having the league outside the country if conditions in Pakistan in March-April did not allow the event to be held on time." The board "is yet to decide on the venue of the league" (PTI, 1/23).