FICA warning could hurt Pakistan league: Lorgat

Haroon Lorgat, former ICC chief executive who is an advisor to the Pakistan Super League (PSL), has said FICA’s warning to players not to travel to Pakistan because of security concerns could have an adverse affect on the tournament. Lorgat, however, said the on ground reality was different from a common perception having in the minds of people of outer world. “It’s unfortunate, there are many players who will be undecided and when a statement is negative, it doesn’t help,” Cricinfo quoted Lorgat on FICA’s comments. “It doesn’t help the confidence of some players. Fortunately there are many who have already committed and who are confident … they trust the assurance given by the PCB.
“I think the statement is not against the PSL, it’s about the safety situation in Pakistan. While we understand that sort of a statement from the players association, I don’t think we necessarily agree with it. Here I’m sitting again, in Lahore, and I understand the situation on the ground in Lahore. There’s been a very good response across the globe by broadcasters who are keen and interested, and who are currently studying the detailed document. We are confident the league will happen on March 26. There’s a lot of interest from players as well. We know what the challenges are, it’s reality, but we will overcome those challenges.” Tim May, the FICA chief, had said most cricketers would heed the advice not to travel to Pakistan. “The security consultants came back and said that the risk of touring Pakistan in a cricketing sense is unmanageable,” he said. “I haven’t spoken directly to any players but the feedback we are getting from player associations throughout the world is that players are very appreciative and understanding of the advice. We can’t force the players not to go but I think you’ll find the majority, if not all, of current international cricketers will heed that advice and, unfortunately for Pakistan, not participate in this event this year.” The PCB said it did not recognise FICA and would not enter into discussions with them, dealing directly with the member boards instead. However, the Pakistan board did not reveal which foreign players had expressed interest in the PSL and said they would make an announcement once the pool was ready. “Our stated position on FICA is very clear, we don’t recognise them, so when we don’t endorse them it makes no sense to go into discussions with them at any level,” PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed said. “As far as we are concerned we have no direct relationship with FICA.
“ICC’s defined process is very clear, whether a player is approached directly or through the board, we have approached various boards but obviously without NOC we will not allow players to come. We have written to various boards and we are confident that players will come to the league.”

PCB offers $2 m cover for visiting cricketers

Pakistan will offer visiting players insurance worth two million dollars each in a bid to overcome security fears and revive international cricket in the country, the chairman of the national cricket board (PCB) Zaka Ashraf said. “We are taking all steps to revive international cricket here and everyone should feel proud about the efforts we have made in this regard,” Ashraf in a television interview. The steps would include offering insurance and providing security for visiting teams, he said. “(People) are afraid that they would be subjected to a shoot-out as soon as they come out of the airport,” Ashraf said. “There is lot of effort required to change this perception because things are definitely not so bad here.” International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore. Six Pakistani policemen and a driver were killed and five players were wounded. No test team has toured Pakistan since and the International Cricket Council (ICC) moved 2011 World Cup matches away from the country because of security concerns. When a World XI played two Twenty20 exhibitions in Pakistan last October, the country supplied 5,000 police and para-military personnel to provide security.