Top players may boycott Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy is scheduled in September and top Australian cricketers including Ponting and all-rounder Andrew Symonds are apprehensive about travelling to Pakistan.

BIPIN DANI ADDS:

Speaking from United States, the Chief Executive of Federation of International Cricketers' Associations Tim May said, "player contracts differ from country to country. However, it is possible for the majority of players to refuse to sign the player terms for the event and not to be obligated to attend the Champions Trophy. I understand that there are many players who will not tour Pakistan".

There is little that ICC or PCB can do about this - with the exception of demonstrating that there are not any security issues over there at the moment - which is inconsistent with all security reports," he further added.

Almost similar views were expressed by Heath Mills, the CEO for New Zealand Cricket Players' Association (NZCPA). Speaking almost 20 hours afer the decision was announced, he said, "our recommendation to our players is that they do not travel to Pakistan at this point in time".

"We feel for the Pakistan Cricket Board and we want to support them as they cannot help the security situation in their country but nevertheless player safety must always be our number one priority and having read all reports we do not feel it is safe enough for our players to be in Pakistan at this point in time."

"However, ultimately it is NZC's decision as to whether or not they try and send a team but they need to abide by NZ laws and guarantee a safe workplace for our players which I doubt they can do," Mills signed off.

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