Ehsan Mani to visit South Africa to convince Cricket South Africa for short trip to Pakistan

[Zeeraq]

LAHORE - Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ehsan Mani will visit South Africa on Monday, wherein he will invite Proteas to visit Pakistan for a bilateral Cricket series. Sources said that Mani is going to South Africa with a plan related to foreign teams’ tour to Pakistan. They said that Mani will meet Officials of Cricket South Africa (CSA) and ask them to send their male and female teams to Pakistan.

Sources said that the PCB chairman will also watch the Boxing Day Test between Pakistan and South Africa , beginning at Centurion on December 26. Pakistan Cricket Team is already in South Africa for a full bilateral series which includes three Test matches, five One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is).

https://nation.com.pk/23-Dec-2018/mani-to-visit-south-africa-with-invitation-to-tour-pakistan

 

[Abdullah719]

South Africa to play in Pakistan? PCB chairman Ehsan Mani hopes to convince CSA

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani will travel to South Africa on Monday on a mission to convince Cricket South Africa (CSA) to support the return of international cricket to the troubled nation.

Mani has said that his main priority remains to see the return of full international cricket to Pakistan and the country again hosting ICC events.

An official source in the board told PTI that Mani would also be persuading the South African cricket officials to continue their support for the return of international cricket to Pakistan as last year the World XI included several South African players.

"Mani will request them to also play a short limited over series sometime in 2019 in Pakistan, the source said.

Mani is also due to meet with the Pakistan team players and management before the first Test from Boxing Day in Centurion and is expected to have a meeting with head coach Mickey Arthur about plans for the coming World Cup in England.

The PCB is already keeping its fingers crossed that Cricket Australia (CA) will agree to send its team to Lahore or Karachi next March to play at least two ODIs, which are part of a five-match series scheduled in the UAE before the World Cup.

PCB buoyed by media reports in Australia

The PCB has been buoyed by media reports from Australia that CA is considering it's request to play part of the ODI series in Pakistan.

"We are in ongoing discussions with the PCB about the One-Day tour in March next year. We recognise that the PCB and the Pakistan government are taking every step to improve the security for touring cricket teams and we'll continue discussions with the PCB as the safety and security of Australian players and support staff is our number one priority," said a CA spokesman in Melbourne.

The statement came after PCB's newly-appointed managing director Wasim Khan maintained that he is willing to address all reservations including security arrangements.

CA has not sent its team to Pakistan since 1998.

In March, 2009 after militants attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore, top teams have declined to tour the country due to security concerns.

But since last year, the PCB has succeeded in bringing some international cricket to home by hosting a short T20 series against an ICC World Eleven in Lahore last September and then hosting a lone T20 game against Sri Lanka also in Lahore in October.

This year in April, the West Indies also toured and played a three-match T20 rubber in Karachi.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...for-short-trip-to-pakistan-1415788-2018-12-23

 

[Adnan_Ilyas]

Good luck to them. Glad they are trying and in time may there be success. Lets see what happens.

 

[MMHS]

Good initiative. He should accompany a security expert as well to share a complete security plan. Also, must give a detailed presentation on the changing situation in last few years and the initiatives taken by GOP as a whole, with facts & figures.

This might work, at l ast for short tours.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Since Sethi PCB is trying hard and are taking every step to revive International Cricket in Pakistan. Good to see Mani carrying that initiative.

In my perspective if SCA and CA agrees to play in Pakistan. It will tremendously help and it will be the beginning of International Cricket here

 

[Savak]

Good initiative. He should accompany a security expert as well to share a complete security plan. Also, must give a detailed presentation on the changing situation in last few years and the initiatives taken by GOP as a whole, with facts & figures.

This might work, at l ast for short tours.

What to do in the event they argue "If the security situation is good, why do we need security then?"

 

[Sarwar89]

The issue here is misconception. Playing One day and T20 is not going to alter the perceptions.

It is about SENA nations playing Test Cricket in Pakistan. That is what is going to make a difference.

 

[sjahmed23]

It will eventually happen. Pakistan is slowly returning to normalcy, we just have an image problem and that can be alleviated by having fresh faces on the board.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Considering that fact that a number of South African players visited Pakistan for the World XI series including captain Faf du Plessis, the chances of South Africa touring are far greater than that of any of the other SENA countries.

Pakistan should also try and get Ireland to visit for a one-off test. Chances are they will agree.

 

[Savak]

Considering that fact that a number of South African players visited Pakistan for the World XI series including captain Faf du Plessis, the chances of South Africa touring are far greater than that of any of the other SENA countries.

Pakistan should also try and get Ireland to visit for a one-off test. Chances are they will agree.

India refuses to tour Pakistan due to the relationship between the two countries right now along with the added incentive to hurt Pakistan Cricket financially as much as possible. Bangladesh refuses to tour out of desperation to please the Indians.

But the Australians, English, NZ should be ashamed of themselves for the attitude that the lives of a South African, Zimbabwe, West Indies player is less risky in comparison to themselves, even though the South African and Zimbabwe teams have a decent large number of white players. The likes of Whatmore, Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower, Grant Luden, Julian Fountain have coached, worked and lived in Pakistan during this time period without any issues.

There is a difference between legitimate security concerns and pandering to the diktats of western players because of their plain refusal to want to have anything to do with a third world country and the PCB needs to draw the line and find a way to send the message across that this is unacceptable.

 

[ILcricket]

I do not see it happening . Good holiday for Mani i guess .

 

[AlizeeFan]

What to do in the event they argue "If the security situation is good, why do we need security then?"

India refuses to tour Pakistan due to the relationship between the two countries right now along with the added incentive to hurt Pakistan Cricket financially as much as possible. Bangladesh refuses to tour out of desperation to please the Indians.

But the Australians, English, NZ should be ashamed of themselves for the attitude that the lives of a South African, Zimbabwe, West Indies player is less risky in comparison to themselves, even though the South African and Zimbabwe teams have a decent large number of white players. The likes of Whatmore, Mickey Arthur, Grant Flower, Grant Luden, Julian Fountain have coached, worked and lived in Pakistan during this time period without any issues.

There is a difference between legitimate security concerns and pandering to the diktats of western players because of their plain refusal to want to have anything to do with a third world country and the PCB needs to draw the line and find a way to send the message across that this is unacceptable.

Which match is organized without security?

Any such presentation will try to show 2 things

1. General situation is good (with facts about number of attacks and initiatives by police/govt.). This generally doesn't need to be proven in case of other countries. But this doesn't mean that security is not needed.

2. PCB have to convince that they will provide adequate security. Matches can't be played with regular security which is provided by police in day to day life as there is large gathering and potential targets. During a match at Eden Garden govt deploys 10k+ policemen to the stadium and this arrangement doesn't happen overnight. They prepare for it in advance, train police separately and boards coordinate with administration.

First part is the complete responsibility of govt which Pakistani fans have claimed to be done.

Second part is responsibility of board - this is where many boards are hesitant and don't rely on PCB officials who are interested only making extra money by corrupt practices or freeloading.

There is nothing like whose life is more precious. It's more about lack of trust on PCB. Boards know that if they 2-3 matches go well, but once these incompetent bunch of officials will start getting money they will forget about everything and won't even bother about players. Although one can say that more matches would mean more money, so it's in favor of officials to maintain the standard if they manage to organize series successfully, but then you have to keep in mind that you're dealing with unprofessional officials who are looking only at short term quick cash, egoist and probably too dumb to think for long term.

Maybe they are not that dumb, they just know that whatever they do, fans will fall for their trap and support them with emotions.

PCB needs to draw the line and find a way to send the message across that this is unacceptable.

Beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Varun]

What to do in the event they argue "If the security situation is good, why do we need security then?"

"Nobody said there can be too much security." *passes across chai*

 

[The Viper]

The captain Faf has travelled to Pak so this may be more likely than convincing Aus. Paine most likely won’t be apart of the LOI teams so that makes it even tougher.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

I do not see it happening . Good holiday for Mani i guess .

Its not a holiday. The head of an organisation having a meeting face to face is the done thing. Company bosses always travel for meetings.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Good stuff by Mani.

Hopefully the meeting bears fruit.

 

[Savak]

When Sethi did it, it was called begging. Now Ehsan Mani is doing it, it is called taking initiative

 

[FreePalestine]

[MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION] Haha, it is true. I wasn’t a huge Sethi fan, but PSL will always be his crowning achievement. Fortunately for him, the team did really well under his tenure. I think he made some attempts to get rid of some of the phantom employees and I am sure he did his best, trying to get advertising and tv deals for domestic cricket. Structurally, seems Sethi could not take down established corrupt people or make progress in professionalizing the management etc.

From the outside, it looks to me like Mani has done well to get Wasim Khan on board. Getting rid of dinosaurs sitting in those boardrooms like Shak. Otherwise, it has been a rocky start, with a controversial ‘committee’ with outspoken members like M.Khan (why pressurize your own captain before a difficult series? Why take this to the media??). As well as legacy case from Sethi era hitting Pak financially and in terms of our standing in wc.

From the outside, I would like to see:

If he manages to persuade Aus, SA to tour AND those tours go off without problems, would be a HUGE win, but let’s see what happens. Nothing has been confirmed yet.

Long term - professionalization, staff reduction and restructuring, looking after pitches, grounds, fc cricket.

Removal of bias, corruption, nepotism in selection in domestic n intl cricket. Giving more merit to domestic performances. (Very important)

If Mani can go towards these things, I would be very happy.... and it would be above and beyond the NS era.

 

[MMHS]

What to do in the event they argue "If the security situation is good, why do we need security then?"

I was coming from a standard procedure. After Holy Artisan attack, BCB did similar things for ENG tour and they actually hiered a professional security agency to brief British High Commission on behalf. Also, a Br. General from military intelligence & a Joint Secretary level officer from ministry of home affairs accompanied the BCB delegates to British High Commission where they had detailed video chat. I don’t know about details obviously, but it was enough for Poms to tour Dhaka within 3 months of the attack when 23 foreigners were shot dead. And, ironically they stayed at the Dhaka Westin, which is couple of blocks away from that restaurant.

If still there is a chance that SAF will keep derailing the argument with twisted questions, then probably best solution is to tell them that PAK doesn’t want to play cricket with SAF unless it’s in PAK & PCB will cancell the upcoming SAF tour - it might work. And, in PP some trolls will add one more name to the list of countries that are desperate to please India by not touring their “equal arch rivals” Pakistan.

 

[moghul]

One excuse from another to take all paid vacation. Why can't he correspond from Pakistan, why has to travel.

 

[Savak]

One excuse from another to take all paid vacation. Why can't he correspond from Pakistan, why has to travel.

Are you equating a phone call as the same as a face to face meeting? I am pretty sure he spoke to them on the phone and they invited him for a face to face meeting to discuss details

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Reports state that Ehsan Mani has had positive talks with CSA about them sending their senior, junior & women’s teams to Pakistan. Cricket South Africa will also review ICC’s report about the security situation & send their own security experts to Pakistan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1079439243284529152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ILcricket]

not happen in my opinion .

 

[Hawkeye]

This actually can happen.

We have good relations with CSA - and they had some of their prolific players recently visit PAK.

JP Duminy, Tahir,.. who am I forgetting?

Hope it becomes a reality. Would love to see a full strength SA side in PAK.

 

[The Viper]

This actually can happen.

We have good relations with CSA - and they had some of their prolific players recently visit PAK.

JP Duminy, Tahir,.. who am I forgetting?

Hope it becomes a reality. Would love to see a full strength SA side in PAK.

Faf visited with World XI. Not the worst chance of it happening.

 

[zoeyfactor]

David Miller as well

 

[Savak]

Would love to hear the likes of Australia, England, NZ (Bangladesh don't count) argue how the lives of the South African players are less risky than their players

 

[Abdullah719]

This actually can happen.

We have good relations with CSA - and they had some of their prolific players recently visit PAK.

JP Duminy, Tahir,.. who am I forgetting?

Hope it becomes a reality. Would love to see a full strength SA side in PAK.

Faf, Miller, Amla, Morkel and Tahir came with the World XI side.

Duminy came for PSL.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

This will happen in Sha Allah soon.
By 2020 whole PSL will be played in Pakistan.
and once team toured for one match or two they will not hesitate to tour next time. I am expecting full tour from Sri Lanka or Westindies next time we play them

 

[Bhaijaan]

Sending best wishes to all my brothers in Pakistan.

Hope cricket returns soon to Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

Would love to hear the likes of Australia, England, NZ (Bangladesh don't count) argue how the lives of the South African players are less risky than their players

Why do they have to argue? No team is under any obligation to tour Pakistan. We need to overcome our sense of entitlement - we are responsible for our demise and no one owes us anything.

 

[shariqnoor]

While I appreciate the efforts of every PCB chairman in trying to bring cricket back to Pakistan, I believe this is fruitless coming from them. This is a security issue, not a cricketing issue. Therefore, this needs to be handled at a diplomatic level. No amount of assurances from PCB will convince other boards to accept when Pakistan remains on most travel warning lists across the globe.

Even if SA agrees to tour Pakistan for a 2 one-day or 2 T20I series, this wouldn't move the needle at all. At best they will require presidential level security and will fly in 20 hours before the match at the very latest. This doesn't inspire anybody to believe that the security situation is good. We've had 3-4 international tours to Pakistan which went as smoothly as it could - did that alleviate anyone's concerns about securities? No one's. So if Ehsan Mani thinks a short tour will start bringing back cricket, he's mistaken.


For international tours to come back to Pakistan, it is Imran Khan and the government who needs to contact the Australian / English / SA / NZ governments on a diplomatic level and assure them Pakistan is absolutely safe for full cricketing tours. PCB contacting CA or CSA is absolutely fruitless and wasting time of both parties.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Our cities are so crime-ridden, filled with illegal immigrants, and filthy. I'm 100% sure Pakistan would be safer and more pleasant.

 

[moghul]

Summer ( in SA ) vacations , for our useless chair.

 

[BlackShadow]

I see Cricket returning to Pakistan this year. A couple of short tours seem very possible.

 

[Savak]

Why do they have to argue? No team is under any obligation to tour Pakistan. We need to overcome our sense of entitlement - we are responsible for our demise and no one owes us anything.

Billateral tours are legally binding unless the teams did not receive govt approval or had legitimate security concerns, those will be non factors with the no of teams and foreign players coming to Pakistan

 

[JaDed]

Our cities are so crime-ridden, filled with illegal immigrants, and filthy. I'm 100% sure Pakistan would be safer and more pleasant.

Pretty much this should be the reason why CSA would probably do a short tour..

 

[JaDed]

I see Cricket returning to Pakistan this year. A couple of short tours seem very possible.

You are right there is much more positivity around this time..2019 I feel the same ,cricket returning to Pak.

 

[Savak]

While I appreciate the efforts of every PCB chairman in trying to bring cricket back to Pakistan, I believe this is fruitless coming from them. This is a security issue, not a cricketing issue. Therefore, this needs to be handled at a diplomatic level. No amount of assurances from PCB will convince other boards to accept when Pakistan remains on most travel warning lists across the globe.

Even if SA agrees to tour Pakistan for a 2 one-day or 2 T20I series, this wouldn't move the needle at all. At best they will require presidential level security and will fly in 20 hours before the match at the very latest. This doesn't inspire anybody to believe that the security situation is good. We've had 3-4 international tours to Pakistan which went as smoothly as it could - did that alleviate anyone's concerns about securities? No one's. So if Ehsan Mani thinks a short tour will start bringing back cricket, he's mistaken.


For international tours to come back to Pakistan, it is Imran Khan and the government who needs to contact the Australian / English / SA / NZ governments on a diplomatic level and assure them Pakistan is absolutely safe for full cricketing tours. PCB contacting CA or CSA is absolutely fruitless and wasting time of both parties.

So in a nutshell what you are saying that the PCB should just continue to play its cricket in UAE paying $100,000 per day, the PCB should not request any team to come to Pakistan at all and should just accept the status quo?

We have had chairman's who have successfully made efforts to convince foreign players and teams to tour Pakistan in tough circumstances after what happened in 2009 and we Pakistani's still criticize and complain.

For the record Pervez Musharraf contacted John Howard in 2002 to convince him to send the Australian Cricket team to Pakistan and that he will personally guarantee the security of the players only for John Howard to rebuk him saying that he will leave the decision in the hands of Cricket Australia and will not get involved.

So based on that precedent, Ehsan Mani is absolutely correct in speak to the Cricket Boards directly as that is the first step. If they bring the issue of government approval or disapproval then the PM of the country can get involved.

 

[Saj]

This all hinges on the security reports that experts will provide. I can't see CSA agreeing to tours to Pakistan at the moment or in the near future.

 

[sshakir411]

Full tours to Pakistan are still some time away. Mani shouldn’t try to rush the process.

 

[gazza619]

No harm in trying i guess. But why cant the initial talks be done quietly.

 

[Hasan123]

Mode chance of SA touring than Australia but don't see them going. They will still feel touring Pakistan is a risk unfortunately.

 

[Savak]

Can IK as pak pm use his personal touch to convince Western teams and players to play in Pakistan?

He is not just an undisputed legend of the sport but the pak pm now. Granted that he rightfully is focusing on the more pressing problems of the country but surely him speaking on the phone to the UK, Australian, NZ PM, Players Association heads, Cricket Board heads and players for a few minutes promising them full presidential level security will go a long way in making a big difference.

There will be no better foundation than this. I am pretty certain his personal and official plea and guarantee will make a huge difference

 

[Varun]

He is not just an undisputed legend of the sport but the pak pm now. Granted that he rightfully is focusing on the more pressing problems of the country but surely him speaking on the phone to the UK, Australian, NZ PM, Players Association heads, Cricket Board heads and players for a few minutes promising them full presidential level security will go a long way in making a big difference.

There will be no better foundation than this. I am pretty certain his personal and official plea and guarantee will make a huge difference

If Imran Khan's entire tenure doesn't proceed with a major team visiting Pakistan, I would say he has failed Pakistani cricket.

 

[MenInG]

If Imran Khan's entire tenure doesn't proceed with a major team visiting Pakistan, I would say he has failed Pakistani cricket.

He wasnt elected to fix Pakistan cricket.

 

[hadi123]

He wasnt elected to fix Pakistan cricket.

Exactly, cricket is pretty low on his priorities

 

[aukhan]

He wasnt elected to fix Pakistan cricket.

Well for years Imran wrongly accused Najam sethi publicly in Jalsas for destroying PCB with out any proof and vowed to fix everything he did wrong. If he wants to take U-turn on fixing PCB then thats another thing.

Btw with the recent incident. Good luck convincing SA.

 

[latecut]

Cricket Boards of SENA countries and West Indies are autonomous bodies and they are not controlled by Government. So Imran Khan talking to his counterparts in these countries in connection with cricket tours will not have much effect.