West Indies has postponed its visit to Pakistan for a three-match Twenty20 series as the leading Caribbean players have expressed reservations about their safety in the country, sources have claimed.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources said the tour will now be planned next year when a window is available to both the teams. However, the board hasn’t made any official comment on the fate of the tour so far.
“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 [International Cricket Council] to inspect security situation and arrangements in Pakistan,” the source added.
After inspection visits and positive reports of security experts, prominent players from around the world had come to play three Twenty20 matches in Lahore in September. Sri Lanka also played a lone Twenty20 in Pakistan last month. “But apparently even the World XI and Sri Lankan team tours were not enough to lay to rest the concerns of some West Indies players,” the source said.
According to another source, 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.
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