Mayor Wasim Akhtar demands at least one Pakistan-Sri Lanka T20I in Karachi

[Abdullah719]

KARACHI: Terming the upcoming T20 cricket series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka a good omen, Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Tuesday demanded that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) organise at least one of the matches of the highly anticipated contest in Karachi.

“This is a welcome sign that the drought of international cricket [in Pakistan] is finally ending, thus, it is high time that the country’s largest city deserves to get at least one match in the upcoming series,” said the mayor while speaking to reporters at his office.

Karachi’s famous National Stadium hosted its last ODI and Test match against Sri Lanka in January and February of 2009 in the series which proved to be Pakistan’s last exposure to international cricket when the Sri Lankan team was attacked on the third day of the Lahore Test near Gaddafi Stadium in March.

The city mayor promised a ‘foolproof’ security plan for players and officials by effectively engaging police and paramilitary Rangers if a match was awarded to the city.

He thanked the Sri Lanka cricket authorities for sending their players to Pakistan and pledged that the cricket-loving residents of Karachi would shower immense love on the visiting islanders, who, “despite what happened in the past are helping us to revive the most popular sport in the country.

“Once we host our Sri Lankan brothers, it will surely encourage other international teams to visit us in future.”

He said Karachi had been a popular venue, which had witnessed several memorable and thrilling bouts in the past. “Our sportsmanship has been praised by the rest of the world, and it is an open secret that international players felt proud to play in Karachi.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1351731/mayor-demands-at-least-one-pak-sl-t20-in-karachi

 

[Slog]

Karachi has been safer than Lahore in the past 18-24 months

 

[MABA]

Karachi has been safer than Lahore in the past 18-24 months

Exactly, there might be street crime in Karachi but as far as terrorist activities are concerned I don't really recall anything significant happening in Karachi. Lahore on the other hand has been hit by quite a few attacks since last year.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Guys there is no point in stating the obvious, Lahore lobby will make sure Karachi cricket is crippled to the core.

Plus with Sethi Incharge now, we are already seeing the effects as in the regional T20 tourney.

They hate us unfortunately

 

[Slog]

I dont understand how our non-Karachiite Pakistani brothers cannot see the blatant regionalism and bias which prevails against Karachi cricket in general.

Does anyone seriously think that if the likes of Kamran Akmal, Umer Akmal and Shehzad had been from Karachi they would still be in the national team plans? #justiceforfawadalam

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I dont understand how our non-Karachiite Pakistani brothers cannot see the blatant regionalism and bias which prevails against Karachi cricket in general.

Does anyone seriously think that if the likes of Kamran Akmal, Umer Akmal and Shehzad had been from Karachi they would still be in the national team plans? #justiceforfawadalam

Bro they will never select Fawad (I've made my peace with it) because if they did 1 slot would be permanently gone and the gang of five would only have 1 more to compete for.

This is the same reason why Azhar (who's been an amazing opener) is being forced to push down to #3 again so Salman Freakin Butt can make a successful comeback

Also I trust our selectors to give one more chance to Junior based on his Twitter feed in the coming days!

 

[Rafa]

Strong Victim mentality in this thread. The fact remains only Lahore can provide adequate security cover to foreign teams.

 

[Slog]

Strong Victim mentality in this thread. The fact remains only Lahore can provide adequate security cover to foreign teams.

like against Zimbabwe where there was an attack right outside the stadium?

or forget that. Lahore, where the Sri Lankan team got shot at? Lahore is the city why we do not have any international cricket in Pakistan.

The Sri Lankan team wasnt attacked in Pindi, Multan or Karachi

 

[anonymous_guy]

Isntead of getting happy and excited about the return of cricket to Pakistan why are you guys creating factions(Karachi vs Lahore, you should be just a Pakistani not a Lahori or a Karachieti ) and fighting/arguing among yourselves.

Lahore is a part of Pakistan and as is Karachi, if you want to watch the match get a train/flight and watch it. Why to create a fuss about it. The situation will improve in near future and one day hopefully matches will be held in Karanchi, Rawalpindi and other places of Pakistan too.
Till then wait patiently, support the team(where it plays), support the PCB if they manage to bring any team to Pakistan (irrespective of the province).

Rise above the love of province, state or any other subdivision for your NATION.

If any team plays in Lahore/Karachi, at the international level it will be said that Pakistan hosted them at Lahore/Karachi but the country would be Pakistan. As a Pakistani stay UNITED.


Please note:-
I am not a Pakistani, just a fan of Pakistan cricket team.
So my views are compeletly neutral.

Please take this post in a positive sense.

 

[TQ89]

Again with the lahore vs karachi thread. Posters here seem to forget that even lahore was peaceful for two years or so before zimbabwe team arrived and then there was an attack right outside the stadium. That even with all the extra security. Back then Pcb took law enforcement agencies in consultation before that series and then on multiple factors, decided lahore to be the venue. In case you forgot, even in punjab faisalabad multan and pindi associations were angry with pcb for long time after that series and you would see their chairperson come out on media and criticize sethi for it.

Its not about lahore vs karachi. Its about who can give maximum security. Taliban or whoever does the attack dont give an iota which city we host the matches in. They just want an opportunity to blow a lot of people at the same time. I am sorry but the mayor should focus on improving his city and work on real issues for karachi awam rather than talking about things he doesn't know about. Enough with the victim mindset

 

[anonymous_guy]

Isntead of getting happy and excited about the return of cricket to Pakistan why are you guys creating factions(Karachi vs Lahore, you should be just a Pakistani not a Lahori or a Karachieti ) and fighting/arguing among yourselves.

Lahore is a part of Pakistan and as is Karachi, if you want to watch the match get a train/flight and watch it. Why to create a fuss about it. The situation will improve in near future and one day hopefully matches will be held in Karanchi, Rawalpindi and other places of Pakistan too.
Till then wait patiently, support the team(where it plays), support the PCB if they manage to bring any team to Pakistan (irrespective of the province).

Rise above the love of province, state or any other subdivision for your NATION.

If any team plays in Lahore/Karachi, at the international level it will be said that Pakistan hosted them at Lahore/Karachi but the country would be Pakistan. As a Pakistani stay UNITED.


Please note:-
I am not a Pakistani, just a fan of Pakistan cricket team.
So my views are compeletly neutral.

Please take this post in a positive sense.

Added:-
By the way the current captain of Pakistan cricket is from Karachi so in don't think there is lobbying in the national team.

 

[TQ89]

I cant believe what i am reading here from educated posters who are perceiving this as karachi vs lahore thing and coming out with absurd logics.

These type of things are said by the common person on the street who doesnt have much common sense and lacks critical thinking. You guys are better than that.

 

[saeed5646]

Strong Victim mentality in this thread. The fact remains only Lahore can provide adequate security cover to foreign teams.

""was listening to najam sethi in tv program he said international players(Who will tour world 11) have clearly

rejected to play in karachi and 50% of them are ready to play in lahore so thats why we are playing in lahore

he also said sL board is not ready to play any where apart from lahore on a postive note he said we will play

double header of PSL 3 in karachi if world 11 and SL tour are successfully DONE"""

so if he is right than it makes sense why pcb is organizing it in lahore

 

[Slog]

Added:-
By the way the current captain of Pakistan cricket is from Karachi so in don't think there is lobbying in the national team.

yes we all know with what difficulty he was appointed as captain when it was clear ages ago that he was the best available option. Azhar should never have been appointed

and he is actually getting results so the knives arent out. (yet to lose a series or tournament he has captained in)Despite that a few PPers were calling for him to be sacked after CT Win.

 

[saeed5646]

like against Zimbabwe where there was an attack right outside the stadium?

or forget that. Lahore, where the Sri Lankan team got shot at? Lahore is the city why we do not have any international cricket in Pakistan.

The Sri Lankan team wasnt attacked in Pindi, Multan or Karachi

please tell me current situation of national stadium karachi if you are not aware it is under construction

to standardize as a international stadium which it was far from to host any international match from quite a

while and it is rumored that it will host some matches of PSL 3

if you want to see video of construction you can visit a facebook page of green team 92 and scroll down on

the time line you will see a video of construction of karachi stadium

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

please tell me current situation of national stadium karachi if you are not aware it is under construction

to standardize as a international stadium which it was far from to host any international match from quite a

while and it is rumored that it will host some matches of PSL 3

if you want to see video of construction you can visit a facebook page of green team 92 and scroll down on

the time line you will see a video of construction of karachi stadium

I think you're talking about Rafa, because Karachi has been hosting international cricket decades before most of us were even born.

 

[saeed5646]

I think you're talking about Rafa, because Karachi has been hosting international cricket decades before most of us were even born.

no national stadium is revamp due to bad out field and other issues

rafa is different one

 

[Titan24]

I dont understand how our non-Karachiite Pakistani brothers cannot see the blatant regionalism and bias which prevails against Karachi cricket in general.

Does anyone seriously think that if the likes of Kamran Akmal, Umer Akmal and Shehzad had been from Karachi they would still be in the national team plans? #justiceforfawadalam

Firstly I would like to say that I love every city of my country Pakistan.

If we are taking about safety than ppl of Faisalabad, Multan and other cities will also come to the party as these cities have also been much safer.

The only reason I can think of Lahore being prefered as venue is that PCB headoffice is here and they think that they can manage things better here.

Yes some players from Karachi might have been hard done but than that has happened with every city.

Mohammad Sami was from Karachi and he was given lots of chances in test cricket and his average was above 50 with bowl. So cant see any bias here.

Fawad Alam has always been a hot topic, yes he deserves more chances but he isnt sometjing extraordinary which many ppl make him out to be just bcz of his average. Yes I would like to see him in Test matches though.

The only player I think which has been hard done is Tabish Khan, he deserved to atleast represent Pakistan at some stage. Rest were all given opportunities but some of them failed to impress like a lot of players from many other cities.

 

[Rafay Shafiq]

""was listening to najam sethi in tv program he said international players(Who will tour world 11) have clearly

rejected to play in karachi and 50% of them are ready to play in lahore so thats why we are playing in lahore

he also said sL board is not ready to play any where apart from lahore on a postive note he said we will play

double header of PSL 3 in karachi if world 11 and SL tour are successfully DONE"""

so if he is right than it makes sense why pcb is organizing it in lahore

Don't trust sethi words. It's all about what picture you portray in negotiations

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Finish building rafi stadium first.

 

[DanishJamil]

I genuinely feel its next to impossible to host International cricket match in Today's Karachi.

It takes at least 1 hr drive in normal days to travel from Pearl Continental hotel to National Stadium Karachi. Plus the NSK is surrounded by quite high buildings making it an easy target. Unless we build rafi stadium i don't think it would be possible to host it.

 

[Slog]

I genuinely feel its next to impossible to host International cricket match in Today's Karachi.

It takes at least 1 hr drive in normal days to travel from Pearl Continental hotel to National Stadium Karachi. Plus the NSK is surrounded by quite high buildings making it an easy target. Unless we build rafi stadium i don't think it would be possible to host it.

yes the international teams will be travelling with normal traffic in peak hour

lol the roads will be cordoned off for them as it always happened even in 2000s

 

[DanishJamil]

yes the international teams will be travelling with normal traffic in peak hour

lol the roads will be cordoned off for them as it always happened even in 2000s

2000's were different.

If we were to give the same security which was given to Zimbabwe it would mean you are paralyzing whole Karachi. Karsaz Shahrah-e-faisal would be cordoned off for 6 hrs at least plus 9-10 hrs 1km area( Civic Centre, Agha khan hospital) around NSK would be cordoned off as well and if the games were to be hosted in weekdays, it would mean not only the money that you are paying to the players , 1 day of economy would get a hit too.

But then its all about lol.

 

[KyoOne]

2000's were different.

If we were to give the same security which was given to Zimbabwe it would mean you are paralyzing whole Karachi. Karsaz Shahrah-e-faisal would be cordoned off for 6 hrs at least plus 9-10 hrs 1km area( Civic Centre, Agha khan hospital) around NSK would be cordoned off as well and if the games were to be hosted in weekdays, it would mean not only the money that you are paying to the players , 1 day of economy would get a hit too.

But then its all about lol.

Bangladesh women tour was given state-level security, the economy wasn't hit per se. General public would be aware of the roads being cordoned off, so alternate routes can be taken for offices, etc.

Will cost more to host in Karachi though, but bigger stadium means greater gate revenue as well

 

[DanishJamil]

Bangladesh women tour was given state-level security, the economy wasn't hit per se. General public would be aware of the roads being cordoned off, so alternate routes can be taken for offices, etc.

Will cost more to host in Karachi though, but bigger stadium means greater gate revenue as well

No disrespect to women's cricket and Bangladesh women team but hosting men's team is on a whole different level and state-level security was the one which we saw with Zimbabwe team Bangladesh women team got VVIP security.

Problem with alternative routes is that nearly all of them connect to civic centre otherwise Teen Hatti area will be jam packed with traffic jam lasting for hours.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Bangladesh women tour was given state-level security, the economy wasn't hit per se. General public would be aware of the roads being cordoned off, so alternate routes can be taken for offices, etc.

Will cost more to host in Karachi though, but bigger stadium means greater gate revenue as well

Well he does have a point there, you can't take an alternate route to Shahrah-e-Faisal tbh. PECHS, SMCHS, DEFENCE AND CLIFTON have to take Shahrah-e-Faisal to get to the other side of the city center. But then again, if there is a will there is a way.

PCB and Lahore Lobby just doesn't want to hold matches in Karachi, which is the bitter harsh truth....

 

[KyoOne]

No disrespect to women's cricket and Bangladesh women team but hosting men's team is on a whole different level and state-level security was the one which we saw with Zimbabwe team Bangladesh women team got VVIP security.

Problem with alternative routes is that nearly all of them connect to civic centre otherwise Teen Hatti area will be jam packed with traffic jam lasting for hours.

Would require a bit of sacrifice on part of the people, but it is still a possibility. Shahrae Faisal was cordoned off for Bangladeshi women team as well, and people adjusted accordingly.

State-level security with army involvement should ensure smooth flow of events.

More costly as I said, but doable.

 

[zn426]

I will make the argument that I think Karachiites would make the sacrifice for an international match at National Stadium.

There's another point that perhaps people aren't considering-PAF base faisal is along the entry route on Sharah-e-Faisal from Jinnah Airport on the way to the stadium. The route will already be easier to make secure for that reason.

Now, if the stadium isn't currently suitable for international cricket, that's another case entirely. There is no point in holding a match if the pitch has not been prepared.

 

[King-Misbah]

I dont understand how our non-Karachiite Pakistani brothers cannot see the blatant regionalism and bias which prevails against Karachi cricket in general.

Does anyone seriously think that if the likes of Kamran Akmal, Umer Akmal and Shehzad had been from Karachi they would still be in the national team plans? #justiceforfawadalam

Indeed but Fawad Alam is originally from Punjab. Safraz Ahmed is the Pakistan captain and Afridi was given chances for 20 odd years.

 

[cricketerB94]

On this forum, I have observed that Karachi people are so obsessed with their region. Pakistan is all about Karachi for them.

If they use some common sense, they will surely get to know that its not just PCB, its all the security consultants of ICC and other teams who decide about the venue. And it is clear that other boards and ICC thinks about Lahore as safer venue.

You have to look at the dimensions and surroundings of stadium too. And as someone stated above that NSK is surrounded by big buildings, it is probably impossible to arrange an international match there. And I think that security agencies are well aware of that fact, that is why they are not sure of arranging an international match in Karachi.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

I live near the NSK.I think if the roads are blocked it may cause a lot of difficulty for the people.Esp the Karsaz road which leads to Hasan Square.Maybe one match can be held if the stadium is in a condition to host it.

 

[King-Misbah]

When will the Bahria Town stadium be completed? I think hosting matches there will be easier

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Indeed but Fawad Alam is originally from Punjab. Safraz Ahmed is the Pakistan captain and Afridi was given chances for 20 odd years.

Errr.......THIS IS A COMPLETE AND UTTER LIE my friend (Not Accusing you of anything malicious though, I think it's just misinformation)

Faddy was born in Karachi Pakistan in 1985 and he's the son of Tariq Alam who was a former FC player and who, himself was also born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1956.

Now comes the follow up question....Who told you Fawad Alam was originally from Punjab ??

 

[KyoOne]

On this forum, I have observed that Karachi people are so obsessed with their region. Pakistan is all about Karachi for them.

If they use some common sense, they will surely get to know that its not just PCB, its all the security consultants of ICC and other teams who decide about the venue. And it is clear that other boards and ICC thinks about Lahore as safer venue.

You have to look at the dimensions and surroundings of stadium too. And as someone stated above that NSK is surrounded by big buildings, it is probably impossible to arrange an international match there. And I think that security agencies are well aware of that fact, that is why they are not sure of arranging an international match in Karachi.

Its a lie that NSK is surrounded by big buildings. Buildings are there on Rashid Minhas Road, and University Road, places a little further away from NSK, and none of them come on the route from airport to stadium (or from PC hotel to stadium, if the teams were to stay at PC). There is Pakistan naval base (and its engineering school) on one side, a residential society, where max floors are 2, on another, and Agha Khan hospital area on third.

Security agencies think Lahore is safer because they were invited to Lahore during PSL final, which was held in Lahore and not in Karachi.

I have no issues in matches this year happening in Lahore, but after next year's PSL, places like Karachi Rawalpindi and Faisalabad should be tipped as equally viable options as well.