KARACHI, Sept 25: Ehsan Mani, former president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has strongly opposed the idea of Pakistan playing their home series at an offshore or neutral venues.

“I completely oppose this (offshore series) proposal as the main object is to have cricket

in Pakistan. By the offshore series Pakistan can perhaps get the TV rights money but there will be no crowds and sponsorships,” Mani said.

“If there was no cricket played in Pakistan, it will be loss to cricket, loss of Pakistan cricket in the longer run,” he warned.

Recently, Shafqat Naghmi, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Operating Officer, was quoted as saying: “If the West Indies do not want to come to Pakistan for a proposed two-Test series, it can be played in Abu Dhabi.”

On the issue of security, Mani stressed that every player’s life is precious.

“Indian and Sri Lankan players’ lives were of no lesser value than the Australian and English players, yet they played the Asia cup in Pakistan in a very relaxed manner as admitted by the Indian players themselves,” he said.

“Non-Asian players will get the same security that was given to the Asian teams so this is no justification. Pakistan will have to draw a tougher line otherwise there will be a drought of cricket in Pakistan, Mani cautioned.

Meanwhile, officials said Pakistan will play cricket in the Gulf as part of a nine-million dollar deal, providing foreign experience to a side struggling to find teams willing to come to their country.

Several international teams have refused to tour Pakistan amid security fears sparked by terrorist attacks, including the last week’s suicide bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad that killed at least 60 people.

“The deal would help the PCB “fill its coffers” and give appearance money to the players,” Naghmi said. “It’s a major boost and we have signed the deal worth nine million dollars for a period of three years with Dubai Sports City.”

Details of the deal were to be announced in the next few days.

Pakistan cricket was badly hit after the elite eight-nation ICC Champions Trophy due to be held in the country this month was postponed over security fears.

That proved a double blow after Australia postponed their full tour to Pakistan in March – also on security grounds.

Pakistan’s invitations to South Africa, Sri Lanka, India and New Zealand for short one-day series have also failed.

The side asked South Africa to host them for a tri-nation one-day series after the postponement of the Trophy, which was turned down by Cricket South Africa.

Pakistan have also invited the West Indies to play two Tests in November, but reports from the Caribbean suggested players also had concerns about security.

However, the West Indies have agreed to play three One-day Internationals with Pakistan in Abu Dhabi from Nov 12 to 16, Naghmi said.—Agencies