Quetta Gladiators' owner unhappy over foreign players refusal to visit Pakistan

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

Quetta Gladiators' owner unhappy over foreign players refusal to visit Pakistan

Zeeshan Ahmed Published March 18, 2018

“Shane Watson had earlier committed he will travel to Pakistan, but [he] backed off at last minute,” says Omer Nadeem. —photo courtesy Omer Nadeem's Twitter

The owner of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Franchise Quetta Gladiators has expressed displeasure as most of his franchise’s foreign players have refused to travel to Pakistan to take part in the playoffs, DawnNewsTv reported.

The owner of two-time losing finalists Quetta Gladiators, Nadeem Omer, said: “It happens every time, we cannot convince foreign players to travel to Pakistan.”

He asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to include only those foreign players in future drafts who are willing to travel to Pakistan.

“Shane Watson had earlier committed that he will travel to Pakistan, but [he] backed off at last minute because his family did not agree on his visit [to Pakistan],” Omer said.

“If PCB fails to resolve this issue, the franchise owners will lose the charm,” he said.

The Quetta Gladiators owner said Raiwind blast proved to be a major setback, as foreign players got worried after it.

Meanwhile, the local players of Quetta Gladiators returned to Pakistan on Saturday. They will face Peshawar Zalmi in playoff match which will be played in Lahore.

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azam

Mar 18, 2018 12:52am

some object are behind which do not want Cricket to stay in Dubai

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Samrat

Mar 18, 2018 01:22am

Clever decision by Watson.

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Samrat

Mar 18, 2018 01:23am

Smart choice Watto!

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Mar 18, 2018 01:40am

You cannot blame foreign players, as the political situation in Pakistan is on the edge. And, as long as, the corrup mafia and their cronies are in power, the security situation is unlikely to improve and will provide assurance to foreign players. This is the hard fact that we have to swallow, accept and tackle in the future!

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Javed Arshad

Mar 18, 2018 01:49am

Just continue playing a positive cricket. Hopefully things will get better. We cannot blame those who still perceive Pakistan as a risky place to travel to and should not put restrictions on recruiting process. Eventually cricket will revive in Pakistan 100%.

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Dervaish Khan

Mar 18, 2018 02:02am

Australian cricket board has been throwing stones at Pakistani cricket much before the attack on Sri Lankan team. Please never include Australian cricketers in PSL in future.

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Marcus

Mar 18, 2018 02:08am

I agree. Watson shud not be drafted in next psl.

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Sajjad

Mar 18, 2018 02:18am

He is right. Sign up only those who will travel to Pakistan. In fact their contracts should hold back the money until after they have fulfilled the condition.

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Dr. Malaria, Garib phaltoo

Mar 18, 2018 02:28am

Respect decision of each player, Cannot be forced to play.

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Ahmed

Mar 18, 2018 02:53am

I think it's time that PSL stop signing up foreign players who are not willing to go to Pakistan for a match. It's a disgrace. I think PSL needs to look into the rules of signing up these players. Instead of getting players who will refuse to go to Pakistan at the last minute and harm their team's chances of winning, should not be signed up from the very beginning.

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Tahir

Mar 18, 2018 02:56am

I agree leave all foreigners Out who are not willing to travel to Pakistan and am sure there are so many excellent foreign players who are not only brilliant but will also travel to Pakistan as it’s safe as any other country if you take out the political game.

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Muslim Medina

Mar 18, 2018 03:02am

The only honorable thing for PCB is to blacklist the players who do not want to travel to Pakistan and fine them.

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NASR

Mar 18, 2018 03:04am

After reading about the recent bomb blast I saw it coming. But on the part of the sportsmen they have the right to make decision for their safety. Though it is not nice gesture when they have been assured of their safety

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Mar 18, 2018 03:29am

Didn't he know about it earlier?

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Theossa

Mar 18, 2018 03:32am

I for one like to see young local talent in PSL frenchises rather than too many foriegn players and twashed up ex national side players. I think countries like WI and SL can still be relied upon with former being the current world champions. I hope all the matches of 2019 season of PSL should be held in Pakistan. We have large population that love cricket and should be let to enjoy the games at home grounds. When there are viewers there are sponsors. Pakistan can rely on thier own consumer market of cricket.

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M. Emad

Mar 18, 2018 03:40am

Most PSL foreign cricketers will not travel Pakistan.

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Sean

Mar 18, 2018 03:50am

If they say they will travel but then back off, hold some of their match fees and release after they play or attend the final! Make it in the contract! And fix security situation at home country.

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Pakistan deserves better

Mar 18, 2018 03:58am

Make it part of their contracts.

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Sheraz Ali

Mar 18, 2018 04:13am

Foriegn players contract dodnt mentioned that they have to visit Pakistan. Those who are coming to Pakistan are coming with their will. You can’t force any one to come and play. This need to sort before the tournament start not at the last moment

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common sense

Mar 18, 2018 04:40am

It is not the PCB's responsibility. You as an owner should do your homework and see which players will play in Pakistan unconditionally. Next time ask the question before committing to paying them.

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Arqam Hashmi

Mar 18, 2018 04:59am

While we respect the foreign players’ decision, it is very fortunate for Quetta Gladiators. They suffered big time in last year PSL final and it became one sided. I thought PCB earlier said they were only going to select players (for the whole season) who were willing to travel to Pakistan, should they qualify for the playoffs. Anyways, I really feel for Quetta Gladiators. I wanted to see a Quetta vs Karachi finals. Quetta, because almost half their side is Karachi boys, and Kings, because they own the port city name, Karachi. Chances of Quetta going down. :(

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Patriotic

Mar 18, 2018 05:17am

Players back off, also share some statistics for foreign players who got unfit in league matches, I wonder probably they don't want to come Pakistan, so better to get unfit rather refusal.

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Adeel

Mar 18, 2018 05:30am

All the foreign players signing up for PSL is not a feather in cap that things are normal at home front and the international cricket will return to Pakistan. More is needed...

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Naweed Rashid

Mar 18, 2018 06:04am

We must not entertain these players not willing to come in our country. What we got in UAE in there inclusion????

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Riaz

Mar 18, 2018 06:10am

First Government need to be make sure safety & security and peace for ordinary local peoples and then foreign can think to travel Pakistan without convince them.

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Mar 18, 2018 06:17am

Feel sorry for Quetta Gladiator's team. Last year the same happened. It was Quetta Gladiator's PSL last year but all major players backed off from the finals. Valid points raised by the owner.

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khan

Mar 18, 2018 06:29am

"He asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to include only those foreign players in future drafts who are willing to travel to Pakistan." The league will collapse if they do that.

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Taqiya

Mar 18, 2018 06:56am

What a shame. Why every year we go through this embarrassment.

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Karan

Mar 18, 2018 07:07am

So embarrassing for PSL and Pakistan. It is humiliating when foreign players insult like this. Next time, PCB should not include those names who do not travel to Pakistan.

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Khan

Mar 18, 2018 07:42am

Charge a penalty on the players who refuse to play in Pakistan after committing to it!!

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Nadir

Mar 18, 2018 07:43am

We have good and talented players of Pakistan origin. So what if foreign players do not want to come to Pakistan.Big Deal!

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King

Mar 18, 2018 07:44am

Life & safety comes first good decision

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Vinay

Mar 18, 2018 08:21am

Foreign player's still thinks Pakistan is not good place to play cricket..and one thing ..psl is incomplete without big overseas gun and home crowd. Please make Pakistan good and safe for cricket, business, traveling..so more people's come to ur land.

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Vinay

Mar 18, 2018 08:26am

Cricket is just small part of his life..not bigger than his life. Please respect his decision

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BANGASH

Mar 18, 2018 09:00am

Lets fix our country before we can invite anyone to visit us.

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Taqiya

Mar 18, 2018 09:58am

He should know that we are happiest people in South asia.

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Seeker

Mar 18, 2018 10:02am

I am a common man from India and I would love to visit Pakistan as tourist. I am sure that I will be offered good hospitality and protection by the common folks of Pakistan. Perhaps high profile celebraties have different risk? Wish best luck and peace to brethren across the border.

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Love Your Country

Mar 18, 2018 10:11am

Everyone knew the schedule of matches in Pakistan before the tournament got underway in the UAE.

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Amir

Mar 18, 2018 11:00am

It is PCB fault. Why they accepted players who are not willing to play in Pakistan

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Anuj

Mar 18, 2018 11:02am

@Ahmed if PSL stops signing foreign players then it will become faisal bank t20.

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Gaur

Mar 18, 2018 11:02am

Some delusional fans think PSL can still run without foreign players.

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Leo

Mar 18, 2018 11:04am

@Theossa then whats the need to have PSL if so called local talent is good enough? Is faisal bank t20 any different from PSL without foreign players?

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Gaur

Mar 18, 2018 11:07am

@Nadir people want to see foreign players, otherwise who need PSL when there is faisal bank t20?

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Anuj

Mar 18, 2018 11:09am

I thought Mr Sethi claimed that only those foreigners will play who will go to Pakistan, what happened?????

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Syed Shahzad Bukhari

Mar 18, 2018 11:30am

Sad news for Pakistan cricket fans.....these foreign players r miserable as they r going to miss Pakistani hospitality and love of fans which is electrifying and irresistible...

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Vasant

Mar 18, 2018 12:34pm

It's almost a decade one no is willing to play in Pakistan! It's very easy to blame others as cricket lover first improv the security in Pakistan and create a safety environment. No one is addressing this issues it is serious matter first solved it please

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Karachi Wala

Mar 18, 2018 12:49pm

If they don't fulfil the commitment, they should loose the fee - simple

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Khan

Mar 18, 2018 12:52pm

Watson and KP are past their sell by date. It’s to bring in current international cricketers.

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Dr.Sadaf

Mar 18, 2018 02:40pm

No need to beg them to come, they are paid the sum according to the contract and then they withdraw halfway, is there no check on this policy. Secondly no place on this earth is safe, all these boards have ganged up against Pakistan, voice the real reasons why hide behind security concerns.

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Malik Imran

Mar 18, 2018 02:44pm

Watson and Kevin Pietersen shouldn't be selected in next PSL.

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Moiz Mehmood

Mar 18, 2018 02:55pm

Why are PSL franchisees so obsessed with foreign players? The local leagues of Australia,UK, and New Zealand don't depend on foreign players, why is Pakistan so hung up with foreigners? The franchisees should focus on building their team's brand rather than obsessing over foreign players.

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lafanga

Mar 18, 2018 02:58pm

Here is an idea. Play the first PSL match in Pakistan and anyone refusing to visit Pakistan should be politely asked to leave and terminate their contract.

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Maria enteparia onnuchoriu

Mar 18, 2018 02:59pm

Why am I not surprised.

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Shoaib

Mar 18, 2018 03:11pm

Its a wise decision. Safety is paramount.

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Jabbar

Mar 18, 2018 03:11pm

@khan No the PSL will never collapse if few foreign players do not visit Pakistan. Out of more than 200M population we can always find 50,000 cricket lovers to visit stadiums to watch their heroes from Pakistan and international friends. Hats off to Sammy, Bopara, Jordan and many more. It's more than enough for us. We will be right back. No one can suppress this cricket talent flowing from Pakistan.

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Pyara Pakistan

Mar 18, 2018 05:15pm

@Gaur can feel the jealousy from someone...we have enough of our star players to make it happen. International start do make it more attractive but would not be a problem without them. While I can understand shane watsons concerns as well.

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Nasir A.

Mar 18, 2018 05:28pm

Sign a contract with them with clear terms and payment after the visit. Nothing should be left to chance. However, we need to be reasonable as incidents can happen and players can change their minds but they should be held accountable. In this case there was a bomb blast so a reaction should be expected.

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Fiz

Mar 18, 2018 05:48pm

Didn't these foreign players were aware that if their team qualifies then they might have to play in Pakistan? Keep that in mind before signing the contract.

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Husain

Mar 18, 2018 06:23pm

Its players on decision but Quetta Gladiators have themselves to blame in picking these players (who did not show up last year whereas Zalmi's did) and also to keeping the same 4 in the playing 11, when it was known they will not come (KP announced early he wont come so why keep playing him). Should have given Pak and willing foreigners more play time so they are not rusty in play offs

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Sheryaar

Mar 18, 2018 06:27pm

These players should be banned by psl as despite assurance of presidential security they are making issue of nothing...

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Sid

Mar 18, 2018 07:32pm

It was expected after the recent bombings... i’m Sorry but it was a failure on part of the security establishment... They should have stopped these most recent bombings at any cost

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Ehsan

Mar 18, 2018 07:44pm

This is ridiculous excuse, one bomber blast in raiwind, these kind of things can happen anywhere in the world.

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Shakil USA

Mar 18, 2018 07:49pm

"He asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to include only those foreign players in future drafts who are willing to travel to Pakistan." Agreed;

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Asif

Mar 18, 2018 08:46pm

Make sense. If you don't want to play just don't play the whole tournament. Simple.

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Haroon

Mar 18, 2018 09:12pm

Bomb blasts are quiet commmon around the world in comparison to us. So he should come to Pakistan. We gave him full security of 4 people around him all the time except when playing. What’s his problem. Boycott him next time

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Mar 18, 2018 09:26pm

@Anuj Watson backed out last minute. Can't say that we only sign up players willing to visit Pakistan but maybe hold players who had previously committed to visit accountable in some way. They should not commit if they think they might change their minds later.

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Irfan UK

Mar 18, 2018 10:40pm

Unfortunately the international teams and foreign players just don't feel safe. As a result Pakistan cricket will continue to suffer. The only winners are people who want Pakistan cricket to suffer and be at the bottom of world cricket.

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ali

Mar 19, 2018 04:17am

are people going to stop visiting USA after killing of 17 school children.

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mykhan

Mar 19, 2018 09:00am

India doesnt want Pakistan to be stablised. India must be behind these attacks in Pak

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Salman

Mar 19, 2018 11:36am

put a clause in contract signing with players that if you dont come to play in pakistan then your royalties and match fees including salaries etc will be forfeited. :)

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Abdul Mannan

Mar 19, 2018 12:56pm

YES... that measure should be taken care of... Include ONLY those foreign players in future drafts who are willing to travel to Pakistan.

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Rehan

Mar 19, 2018 02:13pm

Why cricketers from African or west Indies can travel to Pakistan while western country cricketers cannot?

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Reality

Mar 19, 2018 03:23pm

Most of the players playing PSL are not the top international players. Most are not regulars for their home teams or have retired. But still they openly refuse to travel. It is such a big deal if these Grade B players go to Pakistan. Pakistan Cricket Board really needs to look at it differently. Only Grade B foreign players are playing PSL and for them almost the entire tournament is being staged in UAE makes absolutely no sense. PCB should seriously consider having the entire PSL hosted in Pakistan. Only then will it benefit. Are Pakistani cricketers always surrounded with security personnel? Do they not live normal lives in Pakistan (besides their celebrity status)? To allay fears have the level of security they believe is sufficient and have the entire tournament hosted in Pakistan. Otherwise PSL will never truly achieve its purpose which is to bring cricket back to Pakistan and to develop domestic cricketers and motivate future generations.

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vorshal

Mar 19, 2018 05:21pm

@Nadir -- Which good players?!

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dawn

Mar 19, 2018 06:04pm

Unimaginable that they were selected without assurity that they will join the teams in Pakistan for finals.

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vinod

Mar 19, 2018 07:31pm

This is just beginning.Iam sure psl will achive many more milestone. it will also uplift cricket in this subcontinet. raiwind blast is relally unfortunate. But iam sure sooner or later foreign player will definitely play in pakistan.

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zane

Mar 19, 2018 07:51pm

There should've been a provision of loosing more than half of your pay if you refuse to travel.

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ajay

Mar 19, 2018 08:52pm

Next time take players from Zimbabwe, Tonga republic, Rwanda, Papua New Guinea ....after they will be also foreign players.

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Gaurav

Mar 19, 2018 08:53pm

Come on guys show some sportsmanship....PSL is more important than players' lives.

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vijay

Mar 19, 2018 09:45pm

When a player signs an agreement then he is committed to the game. He should consult whoever needed before signing the papers. Later on, he cannot give lame excuses like Family, astrologer, etc.

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Dr Athar Abbas, Houston TX

Mar 19, 2018 10:23pm

In USA, it sounds quite simple: If he signed a contract, committing to play in the three games in Pakistan, Stop his payment.

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pathanoo

Mar 20, 2018 12:34am

Can you blame the foreign cricket players?

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Melbournian

Mar 20, 2018 02:53am

This is typical of Australian Cricket players!

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MAK

Mar 20, 2018 09:49am

Reluctance of foreign players (especially white) is perfectly understandable, playing under heavy " fool proof " security is no fun, until all the matches are held here rather than at Dubai the situation can not be called normal or safe. Good players do it for fun & 'see Pakistan' walking our streets & bazars as it used to be

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aqj-ksa

Mar 20, 2018 11:44am

I am surprised why owners do not mention this point at the time of hiring foreign players. Hire those who willing to play in Pakistan. There are a lot.

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ABKhan

Mar 20, 2018 12:49pm

@Samrat I know you are more interested in PSL instead of your own IPL, which is quite boring with dead pitches

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Wajih Qidwai

Mar 20, 2018 01:23pm

going with some competitive local players can be a good match too

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Shiv

Mar 20, 2018 02:24pm

@Dervaish Khan fully agree

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Shiv

Mar 20, 2018 02:24pm

@NASR agree

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Mar 20, 2018 03:29pm

quetta love u quetta

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Azhar

Mar 21, 2018 11:24am

Only those foreign players should be selected in PSL who commit to travel to Pakistan with penalty clause in case they refuse later on. There are plenty of foreign players who are not cowards and PCB should choose from those players. Hopefully most, if not all, the matches of PSL 2019 will be played in Pakistan so it will make it easier even for the foreign players to decide whether or not they want to play in PSL.

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