Cricket Update: Will cricket survive in Pakistan after being deprived the privilege of not hosting matches, following terrorist attacks on Sri Lankan team
Following the 3rd March 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore, Pakistani cricket has taken a turn for the worse. The attack by armed militants not only injured six players, but killed half a dozen policemen. Cricket in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 has not been the same, with teams like Australia refusing to travel to Pakistan. The International Cricket Council was forced to suspend international matches in Pakistan and had to strip Pakistan of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup.
Former ICC President, David Morgan said in a press conference how their number one priority was to provide an environment where tournaments could be held without the threat of attacks and it was not possible in Pakistan at the moment. “It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and...deliver a safe, secure and successful event.”
The ICC stressed on the security situation in Pakistan and said it was highly unlikely for Pakistan to resume hosting events until 2011. The World Cup secretariat is also set to be moved out of Pakistan to another location, which will be decided by the organizing committee later. The 16 matches that were to be held in Pakistan will now be co-hosted by India, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
This comes as no surprise as Pakistan’s position has been uncertain for a while; http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in cancelling a tour last year and in January, the Champions Trophy was shifted elsewhere. The Lahore attack is still on everyone’s mind and one of its consequences has been to isolate and alienate Pakistan from international cricket. This decision of the ICC has been taken well by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/March-c74391 3 attack in Lahore nobody wanted to play in Pakistan.
The attack itself was discussed and arrangements for better security were said to be made. It was decided that Lord Condon, chairman of the ICC’s Anti Corruption and Security force would lead a team, including Chief Executive, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shashank-Manohar-c89791, to review future security arrangements in international matches. The review conducted would assess whether the current security protocols employed were sufficient or not and suggestions on how they could be improved.
There is no argument that this has isolated Pakistan as a cricketing nation and will be a setback, especially after claims from the PCB that improvements in the security arrangements had been made. The PCB has expressed its discontent over the matter but denied recent rumours that it had considered boycotting the World Cup. The PCB is still somewhat hopeful in trying to convince the ICC to let Pakistan host matches at neutral venues, but talks are still in progress. However, the PCB should think about what is more important, hosting the World Cup or the safety of the participants.
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