The Australian opening batsman, Usman Khawaja has spoken out on the issue of teams withdrawing from Pakistan tours citing 'security threats'. Khawaja stressed the point that "there is no reason" why any team must not visit Pakistan. His comments come after England and New Zealand decided to pull out of Pakistan tours.
He also said that it is easier for teams to deny a series with Pakistan or Bangladesh but the same teams would never deny playing in India.
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“I feel it’s very easy for players and organisations to say no to Pakistan because it’s Pakistan. I think the same thing would apply too, if it were Bangladesh. But nobody would say no to India, if they’re in the same situation,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by ‘The Australian Associated Press’.
“Money talks, we all know that, and that’s probably a big part of it. They keep proving time and time again through their tournaments that they’re a safe place to play cricket. I think there’s no reason why we shouldn’t go back,” Khawaja added.
Usman Khawaja was born in Pakistan and shifted to Australia with his parents when he was five years old.
Australia are scheduled to tour Pakistan next year. Khawaja said that he had no qualms playing in Pakistan. “There’s a lot of security. Heavy, heavy security. I’ve heard nothing but reports about people feeling safe. Even talking to the guys during the PSL about what it’s like…they would say the same thing to me ‘like 10 years ago, maybe not, but now 100 percent’.”