'Pak players stressed out'

Pakistan’s nomadic cricketers need to resume home internationals to avoid the risk of stress-related illness brought about by long absences away from their families, skipper Misbah-ul Haq says.

Foreign sides have shunned tours of Pakistan since Sri Lanka’s team bus came under attack by militants in Lahore in March 2009, forcing the Pakistanis to play all their series away from home. But, invoking the depression suffered by England’s Jonathan Trott, Misbah said the situation was becoming untenable.

“You come back from a tour and hardly get time to settle, then you are off again for a series. And since there are no home games, it’s taking its toll on the players,” Misbah, 39, told AFP. “I salute my players for showing the mental strength to overcome home sickness. Being away from their families, it’s a really tough ask,” he said.