International Cricket Will Not Countinue In http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 Before The World Cup
The 2006 terrorist attack on the Sri lankan team in Lahore deprived Pakistan of the honor of hosting the world cup 2011 jointly with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
The horrendous attack sent a wave of fear in the cricket fraternity across the globe and international teams refused to visit Pakistan. The discussion that prevailed in the aftermath of the Lahore incident between PCB and ICC experienced various upheavals.
However the inadequate security arrangements and the hostile environment of the country led ICC to exclude it from the hosting of the world cup. A risk was taken once but the audacious attack on the Srilankan team was enough to open the eyes of the cricket fraternity.
The attack on the Srilankan team was actually an assault on the cricket sports itself. There could be no doubt that it was a simple act of terrorism. The question arises as to why the PCB did not work pro-actively while the security situation was already in a bad condition ever since 2004.
Had there been any foreign fatalities, what image would Pakistan have been carrying. It does give a bad taste that Pakistan was excluded from the hosting of the world cup but in actual fact it’s a blessing in disguise. PCB must know its credibility and the ability of the state to prevent unfortunate terrorist activity.
Terrorists hit as per their own choice in terms of location and time while the state agencies other than normal rhetoric have no control over the events. With such a fragile and lackluster security situation, the efforts of the PCB to re-acquire the hosting of such a prestigious event seems in complete negation of reality and self awareness.
PCB on the contrary should have thanked the cricket fraternity for relieving them of the responsibility that may have caused them immense embarrassment. Imagine a situation where terrorists kidnap or attack foreign players and in the midst of the prestigious tournament an environment of chaos would have been created. The situation that would create would be much worse than the present bitterness.
In another attempt by the PCB to convince the cricket fraternity as to the favorable security situation in the country, the inquiry report of the terrorist attack on Srilankan team has been provided to the ICC. However the effort has been out rightly rejected by the ICC president http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ehsan-Mani-c55791 who declared the return of international cricket to Pakistan as out of question before the ICC world cup.
Mani did appreciate the efforts by the Pakistan cricket board but rejected any hopes for immediate change in policy. The situation awareness of ICC deserves due appreciation for proactively side lining Pakistan from the most prestigious event in view of the fragile security situation.
Normally the rhetoric by PCB and security apparatus in Pakistan presents a fake sense of security not only to their own country men but to the outside world as well. In such situation ICC’S decision to scrutinize the inquiry report through its own security team prior to any decision on the restoration of international cricket in Pakistan is a step in the right direction.
Mani pointed towards the evident security loopholes in arrangement provided to Srilankan team and asserted that the security experts at ICC would formulate a comprehensive security strategy for the foreign teams in Pakistan before the country is authorized to conduct international matches.
When he was asked about the decision of the English cricket board about playing in Pakistan, Mani replied by saying that the matches would again take place next year. He rejected any planned event for Pakistan this year. Ehsan Mani linked the decision of ICC world XI to play in Pakistan with the rigorous efforts launched by former Pakistani captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Majid-Khan-c73932.
Whereas Majid’s patriotism deserves credit, a rational view on the issue is necessary before being carried away by emotions. There is no denying the fact that Pakistan is deeply entrenched in hardcore militancy. Even the security apparatus and the very strong Pakistan Army is now unable to control the audacious attacks, so how could PCB ensure the safety of foreign guests? PCB must take a rationale approach to the situation and avoid the rhetoric of safe Pakistan.
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