Prior to a three-Test series in Pakistan, England’s Mark Wood expressed concern over an attack on former prime minister Imran Khan but noted that he trusted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to evaluate any security risks.
Imran, a former cricketer who was deposed as prime minister in April, was shot in the shin on Thursday while participating in a protest procession headed toward Islamabad.
In September and October, Wood participated in a seven-match Twenty20 series that Pakistan hosted. The 32-year-old is additionally a member of the England team that will play tests in December in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Karachi.
Wood told reporters prior to Saturday’s T20 World Cup matchup with Sri Lanka, “It’s obviously not fantastic is it.
“First of all, he used to play cricket, so it’s personal to us. Obviously, hearing that as a group is extremely upsetting.
“I can only tell what we came across, and everything was excellent, from the security we had (on the T20 tour).” We were well taken care of, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about you going back there when there’s been unrest. “… whatever happens, it’ll be up to people above me to decide. But when you return there to play cricket and there is instability in the nation, it is definitely concerning. Their nation should handle it, not us. We rely on our security personnel to direct us.
Due to security concerns, England and New Zealand both postponed a planned white-ball trip of Pakistan in September of last year.
Since 2009, when extremists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, Pakistan, six policemen and two civilians died, international teams have largely refused to play in Pakistan.
Pakistan welcomed Australia earlier this year and has been awarded the hosting rights for both the 2025 Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup in 2019.