Legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara turned down a $1.5 million dollar offer to take part in two exhibition Twenty20 matches in Pakistan, The Trinidad Guardian reported.

An International World XI captained by Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya and featuring several former South African and West Indian Test players will take on a Pakistan All Stars side led by Shahid Afridi in the two Twenty 20s in Karachi on Saturday and Sunday.

Lara confirmed that he had been approached by organisers but felt his participation in the matches that have not been sanctioned by the ICC or the PCB would send a wrong message.

“Yes, an offer was made to me. Until such time as the governing body in Pakistan is able to convince the rest of the world that the best safety mechanisms have been put in place, and the ICC agrees, I would have to say no.”

Two former West Indies players Ricardo Powell and Jermaine Lawson are included in the International World XI side.

Commenting on the issue Powell said: “I have travelled the world for cricket but never saw better and more stringent security arrangements, I am happy to be in Pakistan and feel that I am contributing to a great cause by being here.”