Daily Times

KARACHI: Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) on Thursday said that security risks for foreign teams and their players are still high according to independent security consultants. The statement came after Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chairman Najam Sethi announced on Wednesday, during the 2017 players draft, that the final of the second edition will take place in Lahore. “The consistent advice we have received from independent security consultants over the last few years is that playing cricket in Pakistan for foreign teams and players constitutes an unacceptably high security risk,” Tony Irish, the FICA chief executive, was quoted as saying Friday. He added: “Although we are sure that PSL and Pakistan Cricket Board would do their very best to implement security plans, the advice of our consultants is also that this risk is unmanageable in the current environment.” Irish further said that players were participating in the event as individuals so they had the autonomy to decide whether to visit or not.

“FICA has a duty to relay that advice to players and, given that players are participating as individuals in PSL and they are not participating as part of a touring foreign team, it will be up to each individual player to decide whether or not to take that advice,” he said. FICA chief executive, nevertheless, expressed hope that international cricket returns to the country soon. “We understand how much people want to see foreign teams and players playing in Pakistan and therefore sympathise with cricket lovers and fans in the country. We hope that normal cricket will return to Pakistan as soon as it is safe to play there,” said Irish.

Earlier, Sethi has said that a clause has been added in the player contracts that if their team makes it to the final, they would have to visit Pakistan. However, according to a PSL team official quoted as saying that there would be no repercussions if the players refuse the offer which was coupled with cash incentives and promise of unprecedented security. Zimbabwe are the only international team to tour Pakistan after the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team bus. Pakistan play all of their home matches since then in the UAE.