The board desires a change in venue for the Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 events amid the anti-Pakistan sentiments in Bangladesh. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) top officials are not getting support from any of their counterparts as they seek a change in venue for the Asia Cup and the ICC World Twenty20 due to security apprehensions in Bangladesh learnt The Express Tribune.
The PCB will be hoping to put up a ‘strong’ case during the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting on January 9 in Dubai.
The board desires a change in venue for the Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 events amid the anti-Pakistan sentiments in Bangladesh, where scores have died in the lead-up as well as on the Election Day.
However, the PCB has thus far failed to drum up requisite support from either Asian Cricket Council (ICC) or the ICC. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is supporting the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) despite the unrest.
“The BCCI needs BCB’s support to increase the tally of votes in some important ICC issues hence they will be against a shift in venues,” said an official close to the matter.
“Sri Lanka Cricket is ready to host the tournaments, but their board is currently weighing different options.”
‘PCB in a dilemma’
Another official close to PCB’s top brass stressed that the body was perturbed over the lack of support from other member boards.
“The security risk is high for the Pakistan squad in Bangladesh.
“However, the board which is already facing financial issues will suffer a huge loss in terms of participation fee if it skips the tournaments.
“The team that consists of several young players will also miss a chance of gaining exposure in major tournaments. The lack of backing from member boards has put the PCB in a quandary.”
However, he hoped for a breakthrough in the ICC meeting which is expected to be attended by PCB’s Interim Management Committee’s Chairman Najam Sethi.
“PCB unfortunately failed to put up the case strongly at the ACC meeting last week. They are now hoping for a better outcome in the ICC meeting.”
The official further stated that the ACC was ready to hold the tournament even in case of Pakistan’s withdrawal; hence Afghanistan was added to the original four-nation event.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (11)
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@Takloo: Pakistan and the rest of the world. What is point of Pakistan's existence when the rest of the world do not like Pakistan? Should Pakistan seize to exist?
Pakistan, India, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Afghnaistan..u see that all these countries are totally messed up and none of these countries like each other as their neighbours...whats the point of playing together when there is no peace and love in hearts??
Security in Banladesh is not good these days...and anti-pakistan sentiments are on very high..PCB should boycott this tournament as safety of our players is much more important than to participate in tournament
funny when people think that without Pakistan playing, these tournaments will have the same credibility. Pakistan is defending champs of Asia cup and a must semi finalists of T20 WC so i think PCB should think of players safety and stay at home. A domestic T20 cup is a very good alternate.
hahahaha its hilarious when Pakistan talks about security and safety. Bangladesh is still million time better than Pakistan's own security and safety condition. There is only political protest and violence going on, but at least Bangladesh don't have long time terrorism problem like Pakistan where almost everyday bomb blasting and lots of people dying.
PC should not expect any support from BCCI. For PCB safety of the team should be the first priority and in future PCB can 'reciprocate in kind' when BCCI or BCB come for our vote on any issue.
The ACC and the BCB is already prepared that Pakistan will boycott the tournament. This is the reason why Afghanistan was included at the last moment. Considering that so many people have died in Bangladesh's recent elections and the anti-Pakistan sentiments are running high, we should boycott the tour. There were security lapses even during the last ODI World Cup when Bengali Fans hurled stones at the West Indian team bus. Now just imagine that when Pakistan beats Bangladesh at their home turf, it is going to get messy.
I cant believe this, currently no team wants to tour Pakistan and we are going through tough times. In these difficult times we know how it feels for teams refusing to come to Pakistan claiming security issues. How will other teams tour us someday if we ourselves are concerned about the safety in Bangladesh. How can we claim Pakistan is safe for others when we cant even trust Bangladesh to be safe. It is the host nation's responsibility to provide security and I am positive that we will be given good security. PCB should not do this and should go to Bangladesh without all this fuss.
I am a cricket fan and nothing is going to hurt me more than even imagining Pakistan skipping the Asia cup and T20 World Cup but if we don't stand for ourselves today we wont be respected later on so be it. PCB should decide to skip the series if venue is not changed, sooner or later world will realize that leaving Pakistan behind would only mean a poorer quality cricket.
Pakistani team will go there and play Asia Cup and T20 World Cup both because Pakistani ruling class has no sense of self respect for this country
Player safety must always be the top priority. Can't play the game if you don't have them.