Syed Ahsan Ali
ICC Champions Trophy which was to be held in Pakistan in September 2008 got postponed to October 2009 due to the security concerns of not one, not two but four ICC members. New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England remained adamant throughout negotiations that inspite of Pakistan Cricket Board’s remarkably well job in persuading them to visit Pakistan they have genuine fears regarding the security of their players.
Without any semblance of doubt, it is indeed sad news for Pakistani cricket. It left Pakistan as an unwanted place to tour and Pakistani players in limbo for having no cricket from last few months to coming few months. India surprisingly backed our stance with utmost proficiency otherwise this postponement could have changed into a relocation of venue to Sri Lanka. It alteast gives Pakistan half a chance of hosting this tournament again in 2009.
But as honesty demands, do we need to look for reasons for this reluctance on the part of international cricketers to visit Pakistan? Are we convinced that their fears are misplaced and unjustified? Pakistani cricket forums are trying to paint this reluctance as sheer hypocrisy of international boards. Many hold a view that few months back when Jaipur erupted with bomb blasts which accounted several human lives at the time of IPL, no foreign cricketing soul thought about hiring a cab to airport because IPL was a gold mine.
Another view is that by boycotting Champions Trophy in Pakistan they could make room for more T20 Champions Leagues here and there which provide far more lucrative options for sponsors, players, organizers and corporations.
May be all these allegations and ill-conceived notions regarding the security of foreign players in Pakistan are false and over-emphasized, but do we also think that their fears are based on mere profit-hunger and hypocrisy than on judgment and truth? I think not.
Aren’t we all Pakistanis carrying fears of bombings and killings while walking in the streets of Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi? Don’t we operate under a psyche of fear of being harmed in our mosques, roads, hotels and now even in the hospitals? So is it fair on our part for asking favors that can cost them their lives? So in my opinion instead of wandering for made-up sympathies and alien assurances, we need to bring our house in order first.
I hope the situation improves by October 2009 and Pakistan can sucessfully host this prestigious tournament.
I think it is just politics. Bombing is not a new phenomenon in the south east asia. All this suicide bombing started in Sri Lanka, which was being considered as the alternate venue. These players are not strangers to Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, they know this area too well plus they were going to get high level security during their trip. They were not just tourist who would wander around the country and would have a chance to become victim of terrorism. This is shameful behaviour.
I think the reason why those four teams were reluctant to play in Pakistan, was simply to disgrace it. If they are so security-conscious, why did they ever play for IPL after those blasts. I agree that there is a security threat to everyone in Pakistan but that was not the reason because of which those four teams didnt come to Pakistan.
Just to add the that West Indies was the 5th time was adamant on not touring Pakistan for this tournament.
My opinion is that although we know that life goes on normal (almost) despite all the bombings and blasts, we have to look at this issue from THEIR point of view. All they see is blasts every day and people getting killed. Of course they will think that it might be one of their people if they decide to visit the country.
Then again, I also believe if the PCB would have dangled some USD$ to these teams, they would not have taken such a hard stance.
I think it’s a mature decision to postpone the tournament in the vast benefit of cricket and the cricketing nations. Although it’s a business loss for Pakistan and a huge disappointment for cricket fans all over the world but the fact of the matter is that Pakistan is certainly not ready for hosting such kind of events. Period.
How could foreigners feel safe in the country when Pakistanis themselves feel unsafe.
As they say, its just sports and not worth risking you life for.