Reviving international cricket: Pakistan to buy bulletproof buses
No international team has played in Pakistan since the March 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team bus in Lahore, which left eight people dead and seven visiting players wounded.
But the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hopes internationals could be revived as early as next year following the successful staging of two exhibition matches in Karachi involving an International World XI in Karachi at the weekend.
The PCB governing board met in Abbottabad to agree to buy the armoured transport.
"To ensure best security protocols for the international teams, the board unanimously approved the purchase of bulletproof buses to enable the PCB to achieve higher security measures for the visiting teams," a PCB release said.
The board was also updated on the construction of a stadium in Islamabad, which would also have accommodation facilities for the teams in order to provide them better security.
"This stadium, when complete, with a capacity of 50,000, will be the biggest cricket stadium in Pakistan. For this purpose the PCB has already taken over a piece of land measuring 35 acres in Islamabad," the release said.
The board is hoping the new ground and hotel complex will be ready for use next year.
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pakistan must ensure safety of players and definitely bullet proof buses in right direction.I welcome pakistan sincere effort
Need to kill the terrorists and their sponsors,that is the root of the problem
All we need is a hate proof society.
The fact that bullet-proof buses are needed simply highlights the fact that safety of the players is an issue and that they are risk of being shot at.
Why do this when trying to woo international cricket back? The PCB might as well just borrow some armored personnel carriers from the army and then transport players in those.
There is no vehicle in the world including tanks which is invincible. PCB should understand that its the peaceful environment which is necessary.
What about drivers?
The terrorist will target it more. This is no good. Also, keep in mind where the 10 percent of the money will go
Your issue has been the vocal opposition using arguments of existing danger. Your response in defense has been that they would be safe in the past even prior to this. You're strengthening the oppositions argument that your past claims have been false. It's a well intentioned desperation move, but it's going to backfire.
Need a bomb proof bus
its not like these teams are going to a battle-zone. Buying bullet-proof buses doesn't really send a good message. If it's not safe which it is not then just don't play. Eliminate the problem, not part of the problem and only then invite teams. Wait for Pakistan to be relatively stable then buy these buses or whatever you may need but don't rush. We cannot afford any more setbacks.
This move itself establishes the fact that there is security concerns even within Pakistan and things are not as normal as its getting projected. I have full sympathy for the common mass as they have not done anything wrong to be deprived of entertainment, but I don't think this should be the only step adopted. PCB in parallel should also push the state institutions and police to provide security against anti-social and anti-nation elements to ensure awkward incidents are not repeated in day to day life in Pakistan which in turn will create a stable environment and win the confidence of citizens as well as the international community..
I think no bullet proof vehicles were employed for international cricket team in Karachi, last week. Buying and using bullet proof buses for foreign players will confirm the doubts that Pakistan is not a safe country for foreigners and thus it will be very harmful. This is not a sensible decision and waist of a huge foreign exchange amount. This will open a door for huge demands of bullet proof buses for Pakistanis and foreign delegations/workers/law enforcing agencies as well. Kindly re-examine the decision.