Pakistan Cricket in Jeopardy

The recent attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team in Pakistan by terrorists has jeopardized the future of cricket in that country. Six Sri Lankan Cricketers and assistant coach of the team was injured. Many teams were apprehensive about touring Pakistan before this attack and their fears were proved right by this attack. All the way the officials of Pakistan Cricket Board, the present and past Pakistani Cricketers were telling the world that Cricket is safe in Pakistan and Cricketers would never be targeted. But they are proved wrong. This is the first time a National Cricket team has been targeted. The New Zealand Cricket team had cancelled their tour of Pakistan midway in 2002 after a bomb went off near their hotel.  

Sri Lanka agreed to tour Pakistan as a goodwill gesture but it seems to have backfired on them. The Sri Lankans agreed for this makeshift tour after India had cancelled theirs citing security concerns.  The ICC had even postponed the Champions League last September owing to security reasons.  Even before Indians had cancelled their tour to Pakistan, Australia had cancelled citing the same reasons. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has a lot to explain as to why they agreed for the tour as the Indians and Australians had cancelled theirs.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also acknowledged the fact that international cricket in Pakistan in the distant future is impossible. ICC also said it can’t force teams to your Pakistan after this attack. The New Zealand Team have already declared that their tour to Pakistan later this year looks highly unlikely.  The Pakistan cricket team might be forced to play at neutral venues after this attack. This will have huge financial impact on Pakistan Cricket Board as they don’t earn much income playing abroad and at neutral venues.

The attack seems to have spread concern over cricket in the whole sub-continent. Sri Lanka is fighting a bloody civil war for the past years. Australia and West Indies had declined to play their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka citing security reasons way back in 1996. Bangladesh is fighting its own internal problems with the mutiny of their soldiers.  With the memories of 26/11 attacks on Mumbai still fresh, players have their doubts about playing in India as well. Many players who turned for Indian Premier League (IPL) last year have not yet confirmed their participation in this year’s edition.

The World Cup is due in the sub-continent in the year 2011. It may be a long way off but Pakistan certainly seems to be off the list of venues.  But Cricket played anywhere in the world will not be the same after this.