PCB condemns FICA's advisory, terms it `disservice` to cricket

Karachi [Pakistan], Jan. 11 (ANI): Condemning the Federation of International Cricketers Associations (FICA) advising players not to tour Pakistan due to an extremely elevated state of insecurity in the country, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that the cricket federation has done a great disservice to the cause of cricket in general and Pakistan cricket in particular. FICA on Tuesday, in a statement, said that players should not play in the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) being planned by the PCB in March. "FICA has done great disservice to the cause of cricket in general and Pakistan cricket in particular by advising players not to play in the PSL Final in Lahore next March because of "security reasons"," the Dawn quoted PCB as saying in a release. The cricket federation, citing unnamed security consultants, termed Pakistan as an unsafe place to play cricket. "This is a careless and cavalier approach to an issue of great importance," the release said while pointing out that the FICA sits thousands of miles away from Pakistan and cannot name even one credible security expert, and yet makes a sweeping negative statement about the security situation in Lahore. The international cricketer's association's claims that "westerners and luxury hotels have been attacked" is contrary to the facts on the ground that proves that not a single foreigner or hotel has been attacked in Lahore in the last five years, the PCB said. "FICA's claim that 'targeted attacks' are predicted to continue is belied by the fact that Lahore is the show piece of the government that has secured the services of UK based 'safe city' security project," the cricket board rebuffed. Pakistan have not hosted any international cricket tournaments since the terror attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009,when six Pakistani Policemen were killed and some of the visiting players were injured. It may also be noted that a group of foreign players including Jonty Rhodes, Brain Lara, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath, Dean Jones, Mark Butcher, Marvin Atapatu, Herschelle Gibbs, Damien Martyn, Andy Roberts, Danny Morrison, Sanath Jayasuriya, Andrew Symonds, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Smith, Cameron Delport etc are regular visitors to Pakistan on assignment with Pak TV and are available to vouchsafe the safety and security of foreign cricketers in the country, the PCB statement read. "PSL has already received confirmation from top international players to play in Lahore and PCB is determined to bring cricket home to Pakistan," the PCB concluded. (ANI)