In what can be perceived as a colossal blow to Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) plans of hosting the final of the upcoming edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at home, the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) has warned cricketers against travelling to Lahore. In a report issued by the body, the likely threats of visiting Pakistan have been clearly mentioned, as the nation remains estranged with complete geopolitical mess and terrorism.
For the second edition of the PSL, PCB had exclusively planned to host the final on 7th March in Lahore, after the tournament was contested in Dubai and Sharjah.
The event, headed by Najam Sethi had guaranteed adequate security measures that would be provided to international cricketers for the final at Lahore.
However, FICA hasn’t been too pleased with the security arrangements and has warned players against travelling for the final. The report from FICA states – “Pakistan continues to experience significant terrorist attacks across the country and Westerners have in the past been directly targeted and killed in Pakistan. Indiscriminate and targeted attacks are likely to continue, and expert advice is consistent with all Government Agencies and Diplomatic Missions, who generally advise to reconsider the need to travel.”
“There have been attacks at sporting events, which have had significant security overlay in the past, and terrorist groups in Pakistan have demonstrated the intent and capability to launch attacks anywhere in the country. Locations including luxury hotels are also at high risk of being targeted by militant groups,” the report further mentions.
The report concluded by clearly mentioning that if players travel to Pakistan, it would be at their own risk. “Whilst the opportunity for attack on international sporting events and competitors in Pakistan can be mitigated to a certain extent by the implementation of an extremely robust security plan, the current advice is that external security environmental factors keep the risk level in Pakistan at an extremely elevated state, where an acceptable level of participant security and safety cannot be expected or guaranteed, even with an extremely robust security plan.” “Players participating in this event do so as individuals and at their own risk.”