The lethal terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore has left international players in two minds on whether to participate in the second edition of the Indian Premier League to be held next month.
Considering Pakistan's proximity to India, many players are assessing their decision.
"It does hit home a lot more considering being a cricketer," Legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath said.
"With the IPL coming up there's concerns there too, being quite close to Pakistan," he added.
Compatriot Shane Watson, who won the player of the tournament in last year's IPL playing for the Rajasthan Royals, said the incident left him shocked and he would consider touring India if FICA gives a green signal.
"I was extremely shocked, I didn't expect anything like this to happen to any cricket team travelling around the world - it's blown me away,"
"You're never safe anywhere, to be fair. It's part and parcel of the world environment at the moment, more than just a certain region.
"I love playing cricket and if the opportunity is there to go to India, I will be there with bells on," Watson added.
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who had already withdrawn from this year's IPL, said the participation of other Australians in the tournament could not be guaranteed.
"It becomes far more difficult to make an accurate assessment of security without the co-operation of the IPL and BCCI," Marsh said.
There have been further complications, with India's home minister P Chidambaram requesting the IPL be postponed because it clashes with the country's general elections.
"It will be difficult to provide paramilitary forces for 40 matches and the elections too," Chidambaram said.
"I don't want my forces to be strained. (Postponing the IPL) would be a better proposition."
Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, said there was no question of the tournament being called off. "We have taken into account government sensibilities, but I am sure even the Home Minister wouldn't want the whole country to come to a standstill during the elections," he said. "We may revise the schedule of matches within the April-May window to ensure there is no clash with the election days."
Posted by Mohan Sehgal | Views 272 | Share Blog
