‘Unfair to pass remarks from outside Pakistan’

England’s players’ union must assess security themselves first, says PSL official.

KARACHI: A Pakistan Super League (PSL) official has expressed discontent towards England’s players’ union Professional Cricketers Association (PCA), who have raised concerns about security conditions in Pakistan, insisting that players should ‘stay away’ from the event planned to start on March 26.

According to reports, the PCA have put across their reservations about the security problems in the country.

“Our advice is that players should not take part in the PSL,” said the PCA chief executive, Angus Porter.

However, responding to these reports, a PSL official said the PCA must assess the security situation themselves before passing out such remarks.

“It’s unfair to give remarks from outside Pakistan,” the official told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan is safe to host international players, which was proved last year when the country hosted three international teams including the World Star XI in Karachi.



“Strict security arrangements are being planned for the participants, and anyone who is still concerned over the issue must evaluate the situation for themselves.”

The official added that talks were underway with players from different countries, including England, and that the names would be announced soon after getting confirmations.

Furthermore, the official spoke of the possibility of the league being held in March, saying that it was just a matter of the organisers announcing franchises and holding bids for the players — but he said progress would only be seen by the end of next month.

“The auctions will be held in the last week of February and everything will be finalised before the end of the month.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2013.