Karachi: West Indies have postponed their
visit to Pakistan for a three-match Twenty20 with the leading
Caribbean players expressing concerns about their security in
the country, the sources have claimed.
The PCB sources said the tour will now be planned next
year when a window is available to both the teams even as the
Pakistan Cricket Board has made no official comment on the
fate of the tour.
"Some of the players were reluctant to tour when the West
Indies Board spoke to them. seniors like Chris Gayle, Kieron
Pollard and Dawyne Bravo made it clear they would not be
available for the series if it went ahead," one source said.
"Even the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) had
concerns despite being sent the report of the security company
hired by the ICC to inspect security situation and
arrangements in Pakistan," the source added.
After inspection visits and positive reports of the
security experts, World Eleven had come to play three T20
matches in Lahore in September and Sri Lankan Board also sent
its team, albeit, a depleted one to Lahore for a lone T20 on
October 29.
"But apparently even the World Eleven and Sri Lankan team
tours were not enough to lay to rest the concerns of some West
Indies players," the source said.
Another source said since West Indies had to go to New
Zealand from November 25th and the smog and foggy conditions
in Lahore led to the postponement of the tour.
"But it will take place eventually as the West Indies
cricket board have not backed out and are committed to making
the tour, the source said.
