Pakistan Super League: players warned over safety

[reverse_swing]

By Sam Sheringham
BBC Sport
International cricketers are being strongly advised to reject lucrative offers from Pakistan's new Twenty20 league because of security concerns.
Organisers of the $100m Pakistan Super League say they have had interest from England, South Africa and Australia.
But the global players' union (Fica) has "significant concerns" over safety.
Fica chief executive Tim May told BBC Sport: "I think you'll find the majority of current international cricketers will heed our advice."
Pakistan has not hosted international cricket since armed militants attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009.
Bangladesh were due to send a team to tour the country in January, but cancelled in December due to security concerns.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/21144775

[cricheart]

Well they atleast found hard-hitting Scotland all-rounder Majid Haq who is interested to play PSL.

[cricball]

Originally Posted by cricheart
Well they atleast found hard-hitting Scotland all-rounder Majid Haq who is interested to play PSL.

And I want to play there ...ha ha ha.May they be bought me..

[akabir77]

All Bookies Line up...

[brockley]

England advised its players not to go.
2nd string cricketers?

[adamnsu]

i want to see Pakistan in world cricket. So that there are more controversies, hypocrisy and drama, especialy from that Dr. Nauman guy

But jokes apart, no matter how much I dislike Pakistan, I wouldnt want them to be kicked out of World cricket

[Anik SH]

Originally Posted by adamnsu
i want to see Pakistan in world cricket. So that there are more controversies, hypocrisy and drama, especialy from that Dr. Nauman guy

But jokes apart, no matter how much I dislike Pakistan, I wouldnt want them to be kicked out of World cricket

Love is better than hate. I every team in every sports. (excluding IND in cricket and ARG in football)

[adamnsu]

Originally Posted by Anik SH
Love is better than hate. I every team in every sports. (excluding IND in cricket and ARG in football)

If your love has conditions "(excluding IND in cricket and ARG in football)" so does my dislikes for team for every sport!

[BANFAN]

This tournament is a myth, until international cricket is open in Pak, no board will give a NOC...
This has been declared by Zaka to keep the players quiet for not providing NOC in BPL...
BPL should make it a policy from now, no Pak players in BPL.. Like iPL

[Spiderman]

I just hope BCB refuse to send its players to this PSL of theirs. I'll laugh though if they went after our players despite the fight between BCB and PCB.

[Moriarty]

So far honestly it is heading in a far better direction than I would have hoped, sure a lot of big names wont make it but expect a very good turnout in stadiums. The biggest positive for me ? our players will finally get paid some decent money.

[HereWeGo]

If you are willing to pay more than 100K (no tax) for 2 weeks of work, I can guarantee a lot of good cricketers will turn up for the event...

Given the high level of competetive cricket that fans can enjoy inside Pakistan after a longgg time, you can be rest assured of a massive crowd... So overall I can see a successful event...

[Ajfar]

They should keep their expectation low. 1st season will be the stepping stone, and if they keep doing right things it will probably get better in 2/3 year. This will definitely be a step in the right direction to bring cricket back to Pakistan, it's going to take a while. It won't happen over night.

I think they picked the worst possible date to start the tournament. This tournament is suppose to start exactly 1 week before IPL. That automatically rules out a lot of top international players.

[Hamlafan]

Originally Posted by Ajfar
They should keep their expectation low. 1st season will be the stepping stone, and if they keep doing right things it will probably get better in 2/3 year. This will definitely be a step in the right direction to bring cricket back to Pakistan, it's going to take a while. It won't happen over night.

I think they picked the worst possible date to start the tournament. This tournament is suppose to start exactly 1 week before IPL. That automatically rules out a lot of top international players.

Maybe they chose the time purposely, for example if foreign players reject to come, they could use the reason like players are playing in IPL and hence... etc

[NoName]

One things for sure, there will be a crowd regardless which in turn will lead to higher revenue.

[zsayeed]

I am happy for PSL - I hope it is a success. The country makes great cricketers. All encouragement should be there.

[kalpurush]

Originally Posted by zsayeed
I am happy for PSL - I hope it is a success. The country makes great cricketers. All encouragement should be there.

+1

Wish the Pakistani players all the best. But,
NOT PCB for being naughty with BCB!!

[Jadukor]

PCB seems desperate for hosting cricket in pakistan. In know it's been awhile since 2009 attacks but still i wonder why take the unnecessary risk at this point. Pakistan team is doing really well, finding young cricketers and winning games abroad. Why they are in so much hurry? Why not set a condition that if a suicide attack or bomb blast doesn't happen for six months then it's an improvement towards right direction. Why not wait for a 12 month period when things are quiet in terms of militant activity?

[PoorFan]

I think PSL will be successful regardless of quality foreign players are playing or not. Because they do have high quality local players, have huge fan base in and out of Pakistan, same if not more like India or Bangladesh, all are starving for such competitive event, have enough marcket value for broadcast and franchise, in home and abroad, and finally, probably most importantly their PRIDE or FEAR [whatever way it looks] for not being left behind.

There is nothing to lose but gain, hence bound to be a successful one [in their context], good luck to their fans and their players.

[Jadukor]

Originally Posted by PoorFan
There is nothing to lose but gain, hence bound to be a successful one [in their context], good luck to their fans and their players.

I disagree. There is everything to lose. Just imagine something happening to a foreign player during the course of the tournament. That will be the end of international cricket in Pakistan.

[PoorFan]

Originally Posted by Jadukor
I disagree. There is everything to lose. Just imagine something happening to a foreign player during the course of the tournament. That will be the end of international cricket in Pakistan.

Well, I dont think they are sitting out there all these days wondering what if something happens, instead of working on that regard. They got to start somewhere towards bringing back international cricket in home, and PSL is a good initiative to start with. Even ICC have encouraged this initiative few days ago If I am not wrong. However question still remain on how many international cricket board will issue NOC to their players.

[Maysun]

2m USD insurance policy and tax free incomes for the foreign recruits! WTH

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan...tml?CMP=chrome

[Zunaid]

Originally Posted by maysun
2m USD insurance policy and tax free incomes for the foreign recruits! WTH

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan...tml?CMP=chrome

It's a business. You make an offer the client cannot refuse.

[zsayeed]

Originally Posted by maysun
2m USD insurance policy and tax free incomes for the foreign recruits! WTH

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan...tml?CMP=chrome

Since insurance policy can be issued says something about the actuarial feasibility.

[Jonas]

Any cricketer going to Pakistan to play in the PSL will be in a far bigger risk than in an international tour. With international teams you only need to look after the security of one group of players (even which they failed to do in 2009). But with 6/7 PSL teams the security for each individual team is bound to be worse.