Pietersen Admits IPL Participation Is In Doubt

England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has admitted he is having major doubts about participating in the Indian Premier League next month over concerns over security in the region following last week’s terrorist attack against the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan.

Pietersen stated that he could pull out of the IPL if security experts warn him against playing and will make his decision following the conclusion of the fifth Test against West Indies after he consults with the Bangalore Royal Challengers, who paid £1.1m to secure his services in last month’s IPL auction.

‘If I don’t think it is right then I’ll not be going. Hopefully the security will come right for India but if everybody pulls out of the IPL then it would be a disaster, a catastrophe, and world cricket would really be on a down.’

Pietersen is one of six England players scheduled to participate in next month’s IPL which will be the first time they have played in the lucrative tournament.

Pietersen’s admission came as the International Cricket Council stated that it could not guarantee the safety of cricketers anywhere in the world regardless of continent although the governing body confirmed that it will be issuing a more extensive response to last week’s attack in Lahore.

Said chief executive Haroon Lorgat: ‘We are all aware of how that is likely to change the landscape on security assessments going forward and the kind of threat we might face, not just in cricket but in all sports.

‘That’s because, in my view, that is a barrier that has been breached and once you cross over something of that sort, I think things will change forever. We will respond in a manner that will be responsible and proper.’

Following the attack, Pakistan Cricket Board president Ijaz Butt denied suggestions that his country will not be co-hosting the 2011 Cricket World Cup, saying: ‘I would expect that teams will tour here again as soon as possible. I would give it six to nine months to get things organised.

‘I would want us to get security to a level that would be a guarantee from my government that no such incident like this could happen again, or I will not invite anybody. I cannot give that guarantee, but my government can.’