ISLAMABAD — The organizers of Pakistan's first Twenty20 league are confident of attracting top international cricketers despite the global players' union raising security concerns. Haroon Lorgat, an adviser to the Pakistan Super League, said Wednesday in Lahore that FICA's doubts over security in Pakistan “doesn't help the confidence of some players” but “fortunately there are many (players) who have already committed” to play in the league, which starts March 26. FICA chief executive Tim May told the BBC Tuesday that he has advised its members to avoid playing in the PSL on security grounds and he thinks the majority of international cricketers “will heed our advice.” But Lorgat said he knew the security situation in Pakistan much better after touring Lahore for the fourth time over the last two months to assist the Pakistan Cricket Board in organizing the PSL. Lorgat, a former chief executive of the International Cricket Council, said he knew how foreign cricketers feel about playing in Pakistan — a country which has not hosted a Test team since gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team convoy in 2009. “We know what the challenges are, it's reality, but we will come over those challenges,” he said. While venues for the event have yet to be finalized, Lorgat hinted that some games might be staged in Lahore, the capital of the Punjab province and the city where the Sri Lankan team came under attack four years ago. “I'm sure government in Punjab would do all it can that the event is safe,” he said. PCB chief executive officer Subhan Ahmed said his board doesn't recognize FICA. “So when we don't endorse them, it makes no sense to go into discussions with them,” he said. “As far as we are concerned we have no direct relationship with FICA.” Ahmed also said that the PCB has written to several cricket boards around the world to release their players for the PSL. He said no player will be accepted without the proper certificate from his respective cricket board. The PSL is yet to secure a big name for the tournament but has promised to divide at least 30 foreign players between five city-based teams. “We've been talking to many players from around the world,” said PSL managing director Salman Sarwar Butt. “We would like to go ahead and announce their names at a particular time when we've got the pool ready.” The Pakistani government's term is likely to expire in March before the tournament begins. An interim government then takes over before the general elections which are expected later in the spring. Butt said PSL organizers are expecting a smooth transition of the government and so far it has no plans to shift the event from Pakistan. “Our direction is very clear, we are looking at Pakistan to hold this tournament,” he said. “Unless something untoward happens, only then we will see.” — AP
