Disappointing not to tour Pakistan

Presently, the tour to Pakistan is on hold. This tour plays an integral part in our overseas and international exposure for groundwork to partake in World Cup 2009 in Australia. There is a sense of uneasiness with reference to security for players and management and we should take this into consideration. It is a sad state for cricket on the whole and to our preparation for World Cup 2009. Personally, I do not have any fear of touring Pakistan, but I am a bit apprehensive about the safety of the West Indies team.

Only a few players have indicated fear and express concern touring Pakistan. As for me, my statement of not having the fear to travel to Pakistan has cause heated debate in St Lucia. A comment of me being "crazy" to travel was made. The Caribbean people are generally expressing mixed feelings about the tour to Pakistan in light of the bombing of the Marriott hotel.

The team needs the international exposure and the experience of playing teams we expect to meet in the upcoming World Cup. There we can measure the team’s level of preparedness and work on our strengths and weaknesses. We are now in a position of playing "catch up" to the other nations who have already qualified for World Cup 2009. The team understands the situation and looks forward to playing Sri Lanka. The West Indies board and the team are monitoring the situation and a final decision will be made soon.