MUMBAI, India, CMC – An Al-Qaeda threat has cast doubt over safety at the glitzy Indian Premier League, with the tournament security chief unable to give assurances about protection of players at the multi-million dollar event.

The Melbourne Age reported yesterday that Bob Nicholls was concerned over his company’s ability to delivery if the threats surpassed the security plans being designed for the tournament.

In a chilling warning at the weekend, an Al-Qaeda affiliate called 313 Brigade warned the international community against sending contingents to the IPL which begins mid-March, the hockey World Cup also scheduled for next month and October’s Commonwealth Games.

Several West Indies players are down to compete in the IPL, with captain Chris Gayle headlining the group making the trip to the cash-rich tournament.

“It gets to a point where you cannot go further than that which is being provided,” said Nicholls, who heads the firm Nicholls Steyn and Associates.

“We only have control over certain aspects of it. If we get to a certain stage beyond which you can’t go … our role and commitment is that we will put in the best measures there can be.

“What we cannot control is circumstances beyond that. There would need to be serious considerations at that point.” Players from several countries will gather in India for the tournament, set to run from March 12 to April 25.

Gayle, will be accompanied by fellow West Indies players Dwayne Bravo, Kemar Roach, Dwayne Smith, Kieron Pollard and Adrian Barath.

The hard-hitting Jamaican will turn out for the Kolkata Knight Riders while Pollard and Bravo do battle for the Mumbai Indians. Roach and Smith will represent the Deccan Chargers with Barath wearing the colours of the King’s XI Punjab.

IPL chairman Lalit Modi said, however, the tournament would press ahead as planned.

“We are working with the Indian government on a day-to-day basis,” Modi was quoted as saying. “Security is going to be very, very tight and we have discussed every eventuality.”