It seems as if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have not learnt from the Lahore attacks in 2009 as it has no plans to ensure high-profile security for Afghanistan’s tour of the country that starts from May 24.
Afghanistan will become the first international cricket nation to play in Pakistan since the attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore just over two years ago. It will play three one-dayers against Pakistan ‘A’ team in Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Abbottabad, which has become the centre of attention after the US operation that killed Osama bin Laden.
Although not a high-profile series, it will end the drought of international cricket in Pakistan since the attack which resulted in Pakistan losing out on hosting several home series including the 2011 World Cup.
Local administrations to provide security
However, despite all the sufferings, the PCB has no plans to contact top authorities for security arrangements of the series that is supposed to act as catalyst for international cricket in the country.
“It’s not a big series,” a PCB official told The Express Tribune. “We’re in touch with the local administrations and they’ve assured to provide security. The Afghanistan players are visiting Pakistan regularly to play local tournaments. We are not denying the importance of security but the security provided by local administrations would be enough.”
It may be recalled that excerpts of the report on the Sri Lanka team attack suggested that security lapses were responsible for the incident.
Lahore High Court judge Shabbir Raza Rizvi, who prepared the report heavily criticised senior police officers and wrote that the police failed to perform their duties.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2011.
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