SHARJAH: Former Pakistan Test captain Moin Khan has criticised at the overseas players, who refused to travel to Pakistan for the two playoffs and final match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The initial stages of the third edition of the Pakistan Super League was held in the United Arab Emirates but the foreign players are now refusing to travel to Pakistan for the two play-off matches in Lahore and the final in Karachi. “I blame the Pakistan Cricket Board for this sad situation. I know the board will not like my comments. But in future only those overseas players should be included in the player draft who commit to also play in Pakistan if required by their franchises,” Moin, a veteran of 69 Tests and 219 ODIs, told media here. He said the overseas players who were now refusing to travel with their franchises for the playoffs cannot be seen as supportive of Pakistan cricket. The franchises pay them well to play in the PSL. But when they refuse to travel to Pakistan it upsets the balance of the concerned franchises and also deprives our people of seeing competitive cricket, he said. Moin is the head coach of the Quetta Gladiators franchise who made the finals of the first two PSL editions but lost out this time. Last year in March after the PSL final was held in Lahore all the foreign players, including Kevin Pietersen, Rilee Rouwsee, Luke Wright appearing for Quetta in the league matches in UAE refused to travel to Pakistan citing security concerns. Their absence upset the Quetta team balance and gave a clear edge to their final opponents, Peshawar Zalmi whose foreign stars played in Lahore. Moin said next year when the PSL was held only those overseas players should be included in the players draft who are willing to go Pakistan.
Published in Daily Times, March 17th 2018.
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