Brian Lara, who was made an offer to play for the International XI in the two Twenty20 exhibition matches in Karachi, refused it because he was concerned about the message his participation would send out, given that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had distanced itself from the games.

"Yes, an offer was made to me...Until such time as the governing body in Pakistan , PCB, is able to convince the rest of the world that the best safety mechanisms have been put in place, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) agrees, I would have to say no," the Daily Times quoted the former West Indian cricketer, as saying.