Australia’s former cricketer Dean Jones, in a column for The Sydney Morning Herald, revealed that players participating in the Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Pakistan Super League (PSL) were cooped up in rooms like prison cells due to the mind-boggling security protocols.
Jones highlighted the fact that players were not allowed to leave the hotel premises which caused massive problems for the players involved.
"Today, players are whisked off their international flight and placed in bullet and bomb-proof buses with army security that’s mind-boggling," said Jones. "Players are cooped up in their rooms like prison cells, the security just won’t let you out."
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The 58-year-old believes that the overwhelming security procedures could foster the feeling of paranoia.
“As a head coach in the Pakistan Super League, I know that when players have too much time to themselves, they have a tendency to think too much. They begin dwelling on how they got out or personal issues. Their minds can become their enemies,” he warned. “With this level of security, players can't help but think that we must seriously be a target to someone.”
Jones also lamented the fact that the lives of the international players were given more importance by being granted extra appearance money to participate in the matches scheduled in Pakistan.
“During the recent PSL, many players were paid extra appearance money to play in Pakistan. I was furious over this decision; it meant that these players' lives were more important than ours,” he said.
The 58-year-old was perplexed at the intentions of the players who were swayed by the offer of money when they had initially cited security threats as the reason for not participating in the PSL.
“Some players said they would not go to Pakistan due to the security and potential terrorist threats yet accepted extra money to tour when it was offered. I am confused with their intentions and priorities. Is money now more important than their safety?” he concluded.