Flower: Playing in Pakistan again is vital
Andy Flower has said the World XI players know the “risks involved” in playing in Pakistan next month but are satisfied with the security operation designed to protect them in Lahore.
Flower has selected and will coach the World XI in three Twenty20 matches in Lahore across four days from Sept 12. The squad will be captained by Faf du Plessis and will contain players from all major Test nations, including England’s Paul Collingwood.
They will have a training camp in Dubai before flying to Lahore for the first major series in Pakistan since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team in 2009.
Players are being paid $100,000 (£78,000) per man for the trip which has been heavily backed by the International Cricket Council. The former England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, Giles Clarke, has led the initiative.
Two security companies will protect the players. The firm owned by former Melbourne police officer Reg Dickason, who has been England’s security manager for more than 10 years, will work with the ICC’S security company to provide the level of protection the England team had in Bangladesh last year.
Flower has strong links with Pakistan. His brother Grant is the Pakistan batting coach and Flower has also worked in the Pakistan Super League Twenty20. He will be taking a break from his job as director of England’s talent identification programme.
“The security plan is robust and has been very carefully audited,” Flower said. “Both those companies have taken their experience over
No worries: Andy Flower has faith in the security planning the last decade and also their experience of the PSL final in Lahore this year to ensure the security plan is as watertight as possible. I think everyone understands the risks but are comfortable and trusting of the people that are running the security.” The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that terrorist attacks are still “very likely” and there have been several bomb blasts in Lahore this year. The most recent was less than three weeks ago.
“It’s incredibly important to take international cricket back for the future of Pakistan cricket, for the cricketloving public and the ountry,” said Flower. “Cricket is its national sport. This is just the start of a safe and steady and perhaps slow resumption of cricket to Pakistan.
“In my early communications with players, when flagging the idea to them, I had a really positive response. I think the spirit of the welcome from the Pakistan people will probably take them by surprise.”