'Scared' Russell equates playing in Pakistan to war-torn Iraq

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell has expressed his willingness to play the second season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the country, but said he is too scared to travel to Pakistan amidst safety and security concerns.

"Based on what I have heard and stuff you know, I mean, I am going to be scared obviously. But, for some reason, I would go to Pakistan. But listen, I am going to be scared. That's the thing," Russell was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Russell, who is playing for Islamabad United in the ongoing inaugural edition of the PSL in UAE, also compared travelling to Pakistan with war-torn Iraq and added that he was just going by what he had heard.

"It is like me going to Iraq, based on what I have heard about Iraq. You are going to have nice places in Iraq. You are going to have nice places in Pakistan. I've seen pictures, beautiful places, and beautiful people. But it is [about] what is surrounding [them]," Russell added.

Earlier, PSL league chairman Nasim Sethi said that he has been planning to host few matches in the major cities of Pakistan in the second season. 

Image: Andre Russell

Photograph: BCCI