English players mull IPL participation

England players are awaiting a security report as concern over terrorism threat grows from the Professional Cricketers' Association, and could determine their participation or non participation in the third edition of the Indian Premier League.

A security report has been commissioned by the Professional Cricketers' Association, which will present its findings to the players before they travel to Bangladesh on Sunday.

England team security officer Reg Dickason is compiling the report, and the PCA is also consulting specialist security firms based in Dubai, The Telegraph reports.

The main focus is to determine whether the threat issued by the 313 Brigade, the Pakistan-arm of al-Qaeda, is credible.

Sources have indicated that the threat is standing up to scrutiny and that the security report is unlikely to ease fears.

England players have contacted the PCA with emotions said to be ranging from curiosity to genuine concern.

A decision will have to be made quickly in some cases, with several IPL franchises beginning training camps next week.

The decision about whether to play in the IPL, which starts in Mumbai on March 12, will rest with individual players.

IPL commissioner Lalit Modi had already said that a contingency plan was in place with potential alternative venues for the IPL, including South Africa and the UAE.