The Pakistan Cricket Board is threatening severe consequences if Australia refuses to tour for security reasons, including some mafia-style blackmail in the form of a possible boycott in 2009, which is when Pakistan are scheduled to next visit Australia, following comments from chairman Nasim Ashraf.
“It would be very damaging to Pakistan cricket and it is not just Pakistan-specific, because no country in the world is safe from terrorist acts,” Ashraf said. “If we start letting this dictate our sports events, then I am afraid the whole world of cricket could be turned upside down and it could have serious repercussions financially and [for] the very existence of the Future Tours Program.”
What a load of crap. While, technically, the comment is true, I think teams feel far safer when touring countries like Australia – which is yet to have a political leader assassinated, I’d just like to point out – rather than countries which are all too regularly front-page news for violence, such as Pakistan. And, sure, it’s a great shame because Pakistani cricket fans would probably love to see some great cricket but, come on, let’s get real here. Comparing the risk of violence in Pakistan to the risk of violence in a country such as Australia is pretty laughable.
1 Comment
February 15, 2008 at 11:23 pm
[...] About Pakistan as safe as Australia? [...]