Organisers fear revolt over IPL security fears
THE Indian Premier League could yet suffer a host of high-profile withdrawals over fresh security concerns.
World Cricketers’ union chief Tim May claims to have received a number of worried phone calls from players after terrorist threats were made from an operational arm of Al-Qaeda through an Asian news agency.
The message, reportedly from 313 Brigade and published on the Asian Times website, targeted the IPL, Commonwealth Games and Hockey World Cup – all being held in India.
This comes after a threat was also made against Australian players from the right-wing Hindu group Shiv Sena.
May revealed: “There is an extremely high level of concern from a number of players from a number of countries about the IPL and security.
“I think you’ll find that some players are more risk averse than others and will probably stay at home.”
Seven English players are playing in this year’s IPL, which is back in India after being played in South Africa last year due to similar security fears.