Pakistan Super League: ‘Let players decide about participation’

Players’ unions should stop undermining PSL, says PCB official.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called on the players’ unions across the world to cease creating negative hype about security concerns related to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) – scheduled to start from March 26.

The board is attempting to attract top foreign players to the lucrative venture in order to pave way for international cricket resumption in Pakistan.

“Players associations should stop projecting negative image of Pakistan and let the players decide themselves if they wish to become a part of the PSL,” a senior PCB official told The Express Tribune. “The PCB will do everything it can to ensure the security of players. Since our main objective for organising this event is to revive international cricket, no one could be more concerned about ensuring maximum security arrangements than us.”

The board’s reaction came after cricket’s world players’ union told international cricketers to avoid the PSL, citing security concerns.

“We can’t force the players not to go,” said chief executive of Federation of International Cricketers Association Tim May. “But I think you’ll find the majority of current international cricketers will heed the advice and, unfortunately for Pakistan, not participate in this event this year.”

The PCB official further said that as Pakistan is one of the biggest Test-playing nations and enjoys arguably the second biggest fan-base after India, international bodies should help the country in its hour of need.

“The world must understand that the fans here want to see their stars in action at their own grounds while the players also want to perform at home after playing away for the last three years.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2013.