Pakistan's present and former Test players have shown mixed reactions to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) decision to postpone the Champions Trophy that was to be held in Pakistan from September 12.
While captain, Shoaib Malik and players Salman Butt and Mohammad Hafeez rued the ICC decision, former Test leg spinner, Abdul Qadir has supported the postponement decision.
"Let's be honest when our own people are not safe in the country then how can we guarantee the safety of foreigners," Qadir told reporters.
The ICC executive board postponed the event on Sunday after South Africa, Australia, England and New Zealand refused to send their teams to Pakistan because of security concerns.
Qadir who appeared in 67 tests said that the security reservations by the foreign players are genuine and must be accepted by Pakistan.
"There is no doubt that the conditions in Pakistan were not ideal to host an event of the magnitude of the Champions Trophy. It was sensible to postpone it," he added.
His views were shared by former Test opener, Mudassar Nazar who said the postponement was an expected outcome of the security concerns being expressed by some teams for weeks now.
"I think it was evident that after the carnage from the recent bomb blasts in Wah Cantt, that Pakistan's chances of hosting the event will be in jeopardy," Mudassar who also heads the board's national cricket academy said.
He said that Pakistani people who were disappointed with the postponement decision must understand that people in the western countries have a different perception of the security situation in Pakistan.
Former Test captain, Zaheer Abbas also said the concerns of the foreign players were genuine.
Admitting that the postponement of the tournament was a blow to Pakistan cricket, Zaheer however stated he could understand the foreign players stand.
"Obviously these kinds of things never happen in their countries at such regular intervals... I mean things like bomb blasts ... so for them it is a very big thing," he said.
Another former captain, Wasim Bari said the postponement of the eight-nation tournament was a big disappointment for the Pakistani people who were looking forward to the event.
Shoaib Malik said visiting teams needed to review their stance about playing in Pakistan.
"I don't understand, this sort of situation is present in every country so why just target Pakistan. I am disappointed because it would have been good for the fans and the young players of Pakistan who were looking forward to this tournament. They will be disappointed," Malik said.
All-rounder, Mohammad Hafeez said as a citizen, he felt international matches should be played in Pakistan. We will be at a loss if we don't get matches here."
Opener Salman Butt complained it was not fair that a tournament should be cancelled due to the security fears raised by England and Australia.
Mix reactions in Pak to CT deferral
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