Al-Qaeda threat to IPL still under review: Kiwi players' association

Auckland, Feb 23(ANI): The New Zealand Cricket Players' Association manager Heath Mills insists that it's too early to talk of a mass withdrawal from the Indian Premier League despite threats from a terror outfit and an independent report on the reality of that danger.

Mills said that he is in contact with the New Zealand contingent for the IPL, as well as talking to his counterparts in Australia, England and South Africa.

The countries have commissioned a report from Australian security expert Reg Dickason on sporting events in India to help their respective players' awareness of the situation.

Mills confirmed Dickason's much anticipated report has landed on his desk, but he did not reveal any information.

"I'm still digesting the report today and communicating with my players and my own board. The four player groups are all talking to their players like I am over the next 24 hours," Stuff.co.nz quoted Mills, as saying.

"I anticipate collectively we will have some recommendations in place by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. We can only make recommendations, that's all. But we have enormous confidence in Reg and so do the players," he added.

According to reports, Dickason's report claims the threats made by Al-Qaeda militant Ilyas Kashmiri against the IPL is credible.

He is also believed to have advised that player safety cannot be guaranteed in a tournament that is spread so wide, covering 60 matches in 12 venues. (ANI)