Thursday 23 April 2009

Pakistan protest World Cup

You know, not being allowed to host its share of 14 matches for the 2011 World Cup, etc. They've lodged an appeal with the ICC about it. But it's a far more level-headed protest than you'd think, even if the result will obviously be the same. Pakistan just wanted the ICC to wait 6 months before coming to a decision about this.

They've even decided to pick out faults in each of the other hosts countries regarding security fears:
"India shifted their cricket league to South Africa over security fears.
"We could not tour Bangladesh because there were security fears in March.
"The situation in Sri Lanka was not good either, so from the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt (to) our director general Javed Miandad, everyone has said that ICC must reconsider the decision."

I'm not sure how any of that weighs up next to a direct terrorist attack on cricketers, but okay.

It's also necessary to point out that part of the reason for the IPL's shift to SA was because people were wary about touring the subcontinent following the Lahore attacks. It's a bit rich to use this in your defence.

I understand that last year's Mumbai terror attacks and a general sense of unrest is also to blame for the IPL's shift, not to mention the lack of security for the IPL due to general elections, but the attacks on Sri Lankan players in Pakistan were part of it.

Needless to say, I doubt the ICC is going to reverse their decision. I'm not sure that's what Pakistan even want. What is the goal behind lodging an appeal? That the ICC say "Alright, we'll wait 6 months" and end up cancelling it anyway? It's a bit hazy.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

to me its Pakistan looking at the wrong picture. Lodging protests wont help them a bit cos nobody is going to tour them. rather they should look for holistic measures to cure the ills plaging their cricket setup!!

Amy said...

You mean terrorists? How would they do that?

Anonymous said...

thats a political will they got to do. i m not sure if they would do it. but unless they dont set that aspect right nobody including India is touring them..

Amy said...

I think that even if they tackle the problem as best they could, players would still be hesitant about going there.

Before 9/11, people didn't think air travel could be a target. But even after the rigid measures enforced following, people are all too aware of the possibility it could occur again.

And when it has happened once, you'd think the parties involved in doing something like attacking players might just do it again.

adverbin said...

It the reports from Pakistan are not grossly exaggerated, in 6 months we will be dealing with Talibanistan.

Amy said...

A shame.

Q said...

Sam there's nothing wrong with the cricket setup. Its the country that needs to be sorted and we can really appreciate some help at this time.

With regards to cricket, we also could have appreciated some help from the other co-hosts who decided to ditch us as well.

I agree with the decision to take the WC away from Pakistan cos of other people are going to organize games, they need to have the time to prepare for that but the whole situation has been handled quite inappropriately.

Amy said...

What sort of help would Pakistan be looking for at this time?

Q said...

Security, intelligence, armed forces, money, weapons, men, anything and everything that is required to rid the country of the extremists.

Amy said...

The future of cricket in Pakistan then lies in politics.

Q said...

Amy, the problem is not with the cricket or hosting cricket. The problem is with the country. Till that is sorted out, we can't do anything...

Amy said...

I know, it's a terrible situation to be in. This ongoing problem is just making itself more apparent for as long as it isn't tackled completely.

It's a very difficult thing to do. Terrorism is hard to counter.