The decision of the Government of India not to send Team India to Pakistan is reasonably fair, given the surcharged situation borne out the Mumbai terror attacks. The Government has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) not to proceed with Indian team’s tour to Pakistan in this regard. In view of the tense bilateral relations between the two countries in the aftermath of Mumbai blasts is palpably clear and sending cricket team at this stage means continuing with cordial relations with Pakistan, which can not be approved by a great majority of Indians. It was Sports Minister M S Gill, who said that he was not in favour of the team touring Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attack. He is right.
Along with the fans, cricket pundits, players, including former greats have also voiced in favour of cancelling the tour. Rather than playing a series amidst tense situations (though Indo-Pak series is always extra competitive like Ashes), it is better to give some rest to players as well as diplomatic pressure to Pakistan to eschew from terror attacks on Indian soil. The ICC should respect India’s decision to call of the series, as security apprehension is of paramount importance.
More important is the security concern of our players; quite naturally crowd will be hostile, rather than sportive; player will be in due stress all the time, which will affect their performance in the game. And since Team India under MS Dhoni has been on a winning track, defeat that may come out of safety concern and crowd factor is not all a good precedent. Since Team India returned on a winning note, it would not like to lose a single in Pakistan, which seems unlikely given the extra unfavourable environment. Without doubt, players will be under security blanket all the time that will naturally affect their mental conditioning. Sports and games are played when the general environment is cordial and free of tension, not when the two nations are at the threshold of war like situation. And this is just the case at this moment.
The tour would have been possible if Pakistan had taken some drastic steps to contain terror elements within its territory, which does not seem, given the belligerent attitude of the government led by Asif Ali Zardari. Political stability has always been a case in Pakistan where militants are free to do whatever they like. India’s case is different. If England team has decided to continue with their tour of India, it has reason. India has been a victim of terror attacks, rather than aggressor; it has better rule of law and sound governance system. Pakistan cannot claim all this, at least at this stage.
Team India was to play three Tests, five ODIs and one Twenty20 during their tour of Pakistan from 13 January to19 February 2009. From sports point of view, cancellation of the tour is unhealthy trend, but in the prevailing situation, no sport can be possible at all. Well, the world must know why India has decided to call of the tour. This will put global pressure on Pakistan to act against terror organisations and individuals.
As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could lose net earnings of around US$20 million if the Indo-Pak series is called off. With this, maybe the Indo-Pak cricket ties again enter a cold phase, but India has no other option. Playing at neutral venue, too, is not viable, which means our government are at heated loggerhead while the BCCI and PCB agree to continue with cricket commitment.
|
|
Comments:
