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"PSL final WILL be held in Lahore" : Najam Sethi [updates #82 #90 and #116]

"PSL final WILL be held in Lahore" : Najam Sethi

Is this a realistic claim? Big one to make on TV etc so I hope we go through this.
 
I hope the foreign players do not back out on the day when they have to come to Lahore.
 
Really looking forward to it.

Hope they gradually move the entire tournament to Pakistan. Karachi and Lahore matches had an atmosphere to it and I kinda miss it, last watched them when I was a teenager. Tired of these soulless dour matches in the UAE.
 
Let me plan my next visit to Pakistan not to miss this game. I have so many memories about watching packed Qaddafi ( I hate this name ) stadium with cricket fans in my very younger days.
 
I hope Teams won't be playing for a loss in play ofs :P

Joke aside great news. Looks unlikely at the moment because of PTI and other parties Dharnas etc.
 
Najam Sethi saying this is a part of the contract for all players who have agreed to be part of the draft.
 
Didnt najam say inshallah it will be held in lahore.

Thats not a confirmation.
 
In his dreams. Cannot see foreign players travelling to Pakistan. This could turn messy.
 
The_KING said:
Pakistan isn't a safe country. If I was a foreign player no amount of money would convince me to risk my life by travelling to Pakistan.
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Perception will never change. If we leave it to Foreign players, they will choose not to come to Pakistan ever for eternity. The nation of Pakistan and the PCB cannot let that happen forever. It is time to give a danda, carrot and sticks to the foreign players to come to Pakistan.
 
The_KING said:
Pakistan isn't a safe country. If I was a foreign player no amount of money would convince me to risk my life by travelling to Pakistan.
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Before saying such a negative things about Pakistan, get some updated information about Pakistan of today, particularly Lahore, will you please !!!!
 
uberkoen said:
Inshallah doesn't mean maybe.

The news is confirmed. Part of the contract of the players being picked.
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Not exactly confirmation either...

I'm a little worried about this not going to lie, but if it all goes off without a hitch then it'll be great for Pakistan.
 
AlphaFighter said:
Perception will never change. If we leave it to Foreign players, they will choose not to come to Pakistan ever for eternity. The nation of Pakistan and the PCB cannot let that happen forever. It is time to give a danda, carrot and sticks to the foreign players to come to Pakistan.
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indeed. Im sick and tired of hearing "its dangerous" blah blah blah..they went to sri lanka when the tamil tigers were a few hundred miles away!!

My only fear is that "you know who" may want to interfere to really cause us a problem. i hope and pray they just leave us alone but zainiyat asi hay to kya karain!!
 
the Great Khan said:
indeed. Im sick and tired of hearing "its dangerous" blah blah blah..they went to sri lanka when the tamil tigers were a few hundred miles away!!

My only fear is that "you know who" may want to interfere to really cause us a problem. i hope and pray they just leave us alone but zainiyat asi hay to kya karain!!
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Irrespective of "You know who", it is the duty of the PCB and the Pakistan Govt to provide top notch security.
 
AlphaFighter said:
Irrespective of "You know who", it is the duty of the PCB and the Pakistan Govt to provide top notch security.
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yes agreed. I sincerely hope we are up to it. this will be the single biggest day in the recent history paksitan cricket. We cannot mess it up!!
 
I think, players in Draft are aware that the Final will be held in PAK; so unless something ugly happens just before the Final, they will be there.

Even if something happens, still it's possible to convince foreigners for a match or two. It's not about what's going to happen - it's about what counter measures are taken to convince. To be honest, in March 2009, PCB/PAK Govt.'s preparation wasn't adequate, which was exposed badly. I actually don't trust PAK civil authority - it's not for the capability, rather because of integrity.

For the ENG tour, there is like a war time preparation - elite commandos, snipers at strategic location all through the travelling area, bomb tracking & disposal unit, dog squad, gas squad, fire brigade, helicopter, special convoy with armored vehicle (even tanks surrounding stadium, if required), electronic scanning at stadium gate ..... all those to convince the ECB security team, BUT more importantly, give the massage that anyone trying something odd, is risking heavy damage. Pentagon was hit by an air craft - so one can ensure full proof security, but at 9AM, in the heart of metro Lahore, if few goons can brash fire in an International team bus & then run away, doesn't give the confidence.

PCB should involve Army for this one & everything will be fine.
 
Tbh, I'm happy if this is true but it's natural to be a bit worried. I just hope the security is top notch.
 
I really hope and pray that everything goes smoothly should the final be in Lahore.

Being isolated from cricket is not a great thing.
 
Everyone seems to forget that Pakistan is miles safer than it was 3-4 years ago . Successful operations by security forces have made blasts a monthly affair now compared to 3-4 years back when there used to be blasts every day .

http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/Pakistan/database/casualties.htm

2006 = 608 civilian deaths ( West Indies still toured )
2007 =1522 ( South africa tour to Pakistan )

2012 = 3007
2013 = 3001
2014 = 1781 ( the year operations were launched )
2015 = 940
2016 = 530

Statistically speaking we are much safer than even 2006 and 2007 so why shouldn't we be holding events? Pakistan recently held international squash and badminton tournaments . Why not Cricket when we are much safer now ?
 
Khan_123 said:
Everyone seems to forget that Pakistan is miles safer than it was 3-4 years ago . Successful operations by security forces have made blasts a monthly affair now compared to 3-4 years back when there used to be blasts every day .

http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/Pakistan/database/casualties.htm

2006 = 608 civilian deaths ( West Indies still toured )
2007 =1522 ( South africa tour to Pakistan )

2012 = 3007
2013 = 3001
2014 = 1781 ( the year operations were launched )
2015 = 940
2016 = 530

Statistically speaking we are much safer than even 2006 and 2007 so why shouldn't we be holding events? Pakistan recently held international squash and badminton tournaments . Why not Cricket when we are much safer now ?
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that is very heartening to see but let give you the reason. why people are still not confident
This is called the availability heurestic.

Whenever someone in the family suffers from, say heart attack, then all the family members will be cautious about heart attack, and will control their diet, excercise, smoking, etc. Now, the risk of heart attack for everyone else would remain the same even if that particular person didn't suffer from cardiac arrest.

We become cautious only when a disaster happens, and when it does, people start to become pessimistic. You see, once that attack on Lankan team happened, that was enough to instill fear in the minds of the cricketer. Bear it in mind, even if Lankan team were not attacked, the threat to other teams would have been the same only difference is that teams would still prefer to go to Pak for a tour, not England/SA but WI, SL, Zim,BD for sure.

Unfortunately, there is nothing one can do about it. If it happens once, people tend to backout eventually.

However, to convince other teams to start touring again, PCB and government need to work together and prove that terrorism is under control and that all touring sides will have max level security. But who is going to convey this message to the rest of the world? Here in Bangladesh we will never hear about the improving situation but we only hear about the attacks that happen here and there.


However, the frequency of attacks have decreased and I have noticed. But I am a random person at the end of the day in a neighboring country. Not sure how informed people in WI, Eng, SA, are
 
Excellent news.

If this is a success then maybe we can start returning to Pakistan as a home venue.

I was watching videos of Afridi's 156 against India in 2006 Tests, golden memories! Amazing Pakistani crowed, exactly whats missing in world cricket today!
 
The terrorists will try to target matches again...have we forgotten the last time an international team, Zim, played in Lahore...there was a suicide bomb blast near the stadium to disturb the game...
Why are ppl forgetting this?
Its not safe...full stop!
Nothing has changed.
 
I find it hard to believe this was part of the players' contract and we're only hearing about it now. Seems to be a blooper.
 
Its one T20 not a full home series so it should be easier from a security and organisational POV ?

The atmosphere I'm sure will be incredible and will boost confidence for staging future cricket at home if fingers crossed the final goes off without a hitch.
 
Really looking forward to it, if PCB manages to get the players to come to Pakistan for the final it would be huge then gradually they can bring the whole tournament to Pakistan where it truly belongs.
 
http://m.wisdenindia.com/full-story.php?category=News&id=226240&

The final of the Pakistan Super League 2017 will be staged in Lahore as planned, but teams will fly in and fly out for the showpiece event in a nod to the delicate security situation in the country.

A total of 414 players were placed in the draft for the PSL on Wednesday (October 19), a list that included Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, Shakib Al Hasan, Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen. The inclusion of Morgan is particularly noteworthy after he withdrew from England’s ongoing tour of Bangladesh over security concerns.

Five teams took part in the inaugural edition of the PSL, which was held entirely in Dubai and Sharjah in February this year.

Najam Sethi, the PSL chairperson, announced on Wednesday that the 2017 final will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the city where the Sri Lankan team bus was attacked by gunmen in 2009.

“The second edition of the PSL, again with five teams in competition, will be more successful and the final will be held in Lahore,” said Sethi at the draft ceremony. “International players know what we can do; most of them are ready to come to Pakistan and play.”

Sethi confirmed that top-level security would be put in place for the players. “It will be a fly-in-fly-out plan and the government has promised to give full security to the players. We are convinced that the final will happen in Lahore,” he said.

Backing up Sethi’s claim, McCullum said he was delighted to be playing in the PSL for the first time. “It’s a great honour to be part of the PSL and I am sure with development plans in place this league will give Pakistan some very good players,” said McCullum.

Sarfraz Ahmed, Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain, said the tournament could impact the national team’s fortunes positively. “From the first edition we unearthed a number of talented players like Mohammad Nawaz, Sharjeel Khan and Hasan Ali, so it is the door for talented players to make their mark at international level,” he said.

Islamabad United, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, won the first PSL title, soon after which the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a profit of US$ 2.6 million from the first edition.
 
It will be a packed house, will be sold out in under a day or two if it happens
 
street cricketer said:
Ooh..Morgan is coming to Pakistan.:yk2

This is going to tick off a few BD fans..:narine
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Also is it not ironic that morgan is in the same team as a few bangladeshi players, considering he didnt want to tour bangladesh. I wonder if they will mention it to him or what.
 
putF%8id said:
Hope it gets materialized.

That said, Gaddafi Stadium needs some serious renovation.
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The money they will genetrate can be used to renovate it. It needs to become an international grade 50,000 seater.

Eventually all PSL teams will all have their own stadium. Islamabad stadium and a new Karachi stadium I believe is being built?
 
Ami said:
The terrorists will try to target matches again...have we forgotten the last time an international team, Zim, played in Lahore...there was a suicide bomb blast near the stadium to disturb the game...
Why are ppl forgetting this?
Its not safe...full stop!
Nothing has changed.
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What's your source of information, was any cricket fan or player was hurt, was there breach of security in that series. Stop spreading the negative news, and what's your motive ?
 
Well Sethi bought those expensive bomb proof buses more then a year ago with PCB money so its good they are finally being used.
 
A big gamble I would say. I would be keen in knowing the number of International players making an excuse and not turning up for the event.
 
Executioner said:
that is very heartening to see but let give you the reason. why people are still not confident
This is called the availability heurestic.

Whenever someone in the family suffers from, say heart attack, then all the family members will be cautious about heart attack, and will control their diet, excercise, smoking, etc. Now, the risk of heart attack for everyone else would remain the same even if that particular person didn't suffer from cardiac arrest.

We become cautious only when a disaster happens, and when it does, people start to become pessimistic. You see, once that attack on Lankan team happened, that was enough to instill fear in the minds of the cricketer. Bear it in mind, even if Lankan team were not attacked, the threat to other teams would have been the same only difference is that teams would still prefer to go to Pak for a tour, not England/SA but WI, SL, Zim,BD for sure.

Unfortunately, there is nothing one can do about it. If it happens once, people tend to backout eventually.

However, to convince other teams to start touring again, PCB and government need to work together and prove that terrorism is under control and that all touring sides will have max level security. But who is going to convey this message to the rest of the world? Here in Bangladesh we will never hear about the improving situation but we only hear about the attacks that happen here and there.


However, the frequency of attacks have decreased and I have noticed. But I am a random person at the end of the day in a neighboring country. Not sure how informed people in WI, Eng, SA, are
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The best way to prove that terrorism is under control IS with statistics. Beyond that I am not sure what proof will suffice. Statistics show that Pakistan is as safe today as it was when teams were willing to tour Pakistan 10 years ago. Yes there might still be an occasional blast, as was the case 10 years when there were may be 1-2 blasts a year. If teams can tour Bangladesh or India despite the occasional blast, there's no reason they can't tour Pakistan.
 
IF we pull this off without any incident in Lahore - it will be a great step forward in the resumption of cricket in Pakistan
 
ahsan17 said:
The best way to prove that terrorism is under control IS with statistics. Beyond that I am not sure what proof will suffice. Statistics show that Pakistan is as safe today as it was when teams were willing to tour Pakistan 10 years ago. Yes there might still be an occasional blast, as was the case 10 years when there were may be 1-2 blasts a year. If teams can tour Bangladesh or India despite the occasional blast, there's no reason they can't tour Pakistan.
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If we let the foreign players have their way, if we let the loosers on here who even live in Pakistan but still call Pakistan unsafe because of what happened in 2009, no foreign player will ever come to Pakistan ever again.

Yes the International isolation Pakistan faced from 2009 to 2016 was understandable given the magnitude of what happened in 2009, but there comes a time when you have to call out the BS. I fully support the PCB in doing whatever it can to bring Cricket back to Pakistan.
 
Flat_Track_Bully said:
The money they will genetrate can be used to renovate it. It needs to become an international grade 50,000 seater.

Eventually all PSL teams will all have their own stadium. Islamabad stadium and a new Karachi stadium I believe is being built?
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PLEASE NO NEED FOR A STADIUM IN ISLAMABAD. We can use the stadium over in Rawal Pindi. They wanted to build a stadium in Shakar Parian but thank GOD this was rejected. Shakar Parian is the LAST remaining hint of forestry we had in the city, most of which has been destroyed too because of the Sports Complex and the Pak-China friendship center. Also, making a stadium would be waste of money. It'll cost us millions, if not billions and at the moment, we play 0 international cricket within Pakistan and the stadiums would just deteriorate. We have enough stadiums all over the country already.
 
Markhor said:
Its one T20 not a full home series so it should be easier from a security and organisational POV ?

The atmosphere I'm sure will be incredible and will boost confidence for staging future cricket at home if fingers crossed the final goes off without a hitch.
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Yes. Worst case scenario players fly in on the day of the match and depart that same day.
 
msb314 said:
IF we pull this off without any incident in Lahore - it will be a great step forward in the resumption of cricket in Pakistan
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For sure. But international tours require clearance from security teams etc - that still is an issue.

Also not sure if the respective boards who employ these players will be comfortable with the foreign ones going to Pak

Have a feeling that just the Windies players will make the trip

Lets hope for the best
 
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asfandyar said:
Why are the two Kings above jealous? Afraid Karachi Kings will steal the limelight?
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MASHALLAH...such confidence brother :14:

remember last year, when Karachi V Peshawar was predicted by every single human being on this earth to be the final. What happened after that ? :misbah
 
I just hope this isn't one of those throw away comments that come from within PCB at times and this actually happens.

It would be a huge disappointment if it didn't occur.
 
MenInG said:
For sure. But international tours require clearance from security teams etc - that still is an issue.

Also not sure if the respective boards who employ these players will be comfortable with the foreign ones going to Pak

Have a feeling that just the Windies players will make the trip

Lets hope for the best
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Ultimately it is the players and their franchise who will decide what to do. Not sure how much the boards will have a say in that.

I think it will probably happen barring some unfortunate circumstances or events. I just hope we do a good job in terms of security and organizing the event in the best possible light.
 
If you are just flying players in and out just on match day, not sure if that is a confident picture you are going to paint.

I mean as an international team, it only shows how grave the situation still is, if you have to fly in and out on the match day to be safe.
 
The wait has been long but patience is your only solution, what could happen 2 years from now could take a lot longer if some mishap happens, even of the mysterious "cylinder/suicide blast" kind that happened during the Zimbabwe tour.
 
KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chairman Najam Sethi, yesterday, reiterated the T20 league’s stance that the final of the second edition would be held in Lahore despite concerns from the international players’ association, FICA, that it posed ‘security risks’ for the players

Just a day after it was announced that the PSL’s title-deciding game will be played in Lahore, FICA Chief Executive Tony Irish, in an interview, claimed that ‘playing cricket in Pakistan for foreign teams and players constitutes an unacceptably high security risk’ citing independent security consultants.

He also deemed the risk of playing cricket in Pakistan as ‘unmanageable’.

But Sethi brushed aside such concerns claiming that the plan to hold the final in Lahore will go as planned.

“Our decision to hold the PSL final in Lahore stands,” Sethi told The Express Tribune. “We are confident that all foreign players, whose teams reach the final, will be there in Lahore

No major Test playing nation has visited Pakistan since the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.

The situation has improved in recent years as the country successfully carried out the Zimbabwe series last year and also hosted an exhibition match in Karachi featuring big names of the game including Sri Lanka great Sanath Jayasuriya.

Currently, Lahore is playing host to Australian Army cricket team.

It is believed that the PSL final, if staged in Lahore successfully, will be a major breakthrough in PCB’s bid to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.

‘Arrangements already under way’

An official close to the matter revealed that preparations to stage the final in Lahore have already started.

“They [FICA] are the usual naysayers and such statements don’t matter,” revealed an official who wished not to be named. “We are already in touch with the security agencies including the army to formulate a foolproof plan for hosting the final.”

He further added, “We are hoping for a successful final which will prove Pakistan is not a risky place to play cricket for foreign teams.”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1206825/no-change-plan-decision-hold-psl-final-lahore-stands-sethi/
 
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English cricketers set to go against union’s Pakistan Super League advice

A number of high-profile English cricketers are set to go against the advice of their union if they are called on to participate in the final of the Pakistan Super League, which is scheduled to take place in Lahore. There are heightened security fears in the country in the wake of the Quetta terrorist attack on Tuesday.

Ten English players have been drafted for the 2017 competition, which will largely be staged in Dubai before the final takes place in Pakistan. Although the England and Wales Cricket Board will grant the players No Objection Certificates, the Professional Cricketers’ Association, in conjunction with the Federation of International Cricketers’ Association, has strongly advised them not to go to Lahore. The PCA has said the situation in Pakistan “presents an unacceptably high security risk and remains unmanageable”.

It is understood that the players, including Luke Wright, who is due to play for Quetta Gladiators alongside Kevin Pietersen, Tymal Mills and David Willey, are happy to compete in Pakistan should their team reach the final. Those considering playing in the final have been encouraged to ensure their insurance coverage is in place and were reminded they travel as individuals and at their own risk.

Seventy English players entered the competition’s draft, with those successful including Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan, both of whom pulled out of the tour of Bangladesh over security concerns. However, it is likely that they and other England white-ball regulars would not be involved in the Lahore final on 9 March as the national team arrive in the Caribbean for a three-match ODI tour on 22 February, rendering them unavailable. Sam Billings, Ben Duckett and Willey are others playing in the PSL who are likely to tour the West Indies.

However, Wright, Mills and Jade Dernbach, who hopes to be selected as an injury replacement having not been picked in the draft, are understood to be relaxed about travelling to Pakistan. English players have not yet been sent the paperwork for the competition, so do not know if skipping the Lahore final would amount to a breach of it.

There have been suggestions the final could be moved from Lahore but Najam Sethi, the PSL chairman, said at the draft on 19 October: “International players know what we can do; most of them are ready to come to Pakistan and play. We have signed players with a condition that, if their team reaches the final, they will have to go to Lahore and they have all agreed. The government has promised to give full security to the players. We are convinced that the final will happen in Lahore.”

Fifty-nine people were killed in the Pakistan city Quetta on Tuesday when terrorists stormed a police training academy. Pakistan have been cricketing nomads – playing their home fixtures in the UAE – since the Sri Lanka team bus was shot at in Lahore in 2009.

The ECB’s stance on the PSL is the same as its view on next month’s Bangladesh Premier League, in which a number of players – including the T20 specialist Mills – are also playing against PCA advice. England have been granted protection on tour in Bangladesh that is without precedent and the PCA believes that players could not be guaranteed the same security at the BPL.

The hitherto smooth passage of England’s visit has brought the prospect of an Australia tour of Bangladesh a step closer. Australia cancelled a tour last year because of security concerns (and also did not send a team to this year’s Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh) but Cricket Australia’s head of security, Sean Carroll, has travelled to Dhaka for the second Test to scope the prospect of a tour next August. The BCB CEO, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, welcomed Carroll’s visit, saying: “It is certainly an encouraging sign as it shows that they are keen to have a look at our security arrangements and are positive about coming in August next year.”

Carroll will look at the security measures put in place – in terms of accommodation and transport via convoy – by the Bangladesh government, BCB and Reg Dickason, the ECB’s security adviser.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2...tan-super-league-advice-lahore-final-security
 
I don't understand why there is 1 rule for Pakistan and another for other countries.

Foreign players don't go to Kashmir or Maoist rebels city centre when they play in India do they? Bangladesh a much smaller country to Pakistan just had a terrorist incident, players still traveled.

Yes I know what happened in 2009 to SL team was unacceptably bad but that was nearly 8 years ago. So are we going to be banned for eternity for this? Do we not also deserve to defeat terrorism with foreign players playing in safer parts of Pakistan?

Is world ignorant enough to think there are no safe places in Pakistan? Would they casually forget Zimbabwe team toured and were perfectly safe?

The violent crime stats have dipped to pre 2005 levels and 1 million tourists are now visiting Pakistan annually. It is a large country with plenty of safe areas. Nobody is saying to go playing in Waziristan or Quetta. High crime areas are hundreds of miles away from safer places where cricket can happen.

It's up to Pakistanis to stop being so self loathing and do more to promote your country. No Indian person talks about their unrest in Kashmir or Maoist contested areas. They promote their safe areas and do it well.

Pakistan is ready to host international cricket. If players do not want to come and not let terrorists win then it is up to Pakistanis to educate them about what is good in the country, where they will be made to feel welcome and enjoy their stay.
 
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Flat_Track_Bully said:
I don't understand why there is 1 rule for Pakistan and another for other countries.

Foreign players don't go to Kashmir or Maoist rebels city centre when they play in India do they? Bangladesh a much smaller country to Pakistan just had a terrorist incident, players still traveled.

Yes I know what happened in 2009 to SL team was unacceptably bad but that was nearly 8 years ago. So are we going to be banned for eternity for this? Do we not also deserve to defeat terrorism with foreign players playing in safer parts of Pakistan?

Is world ignorant enough to think there are no safe places in Pakistan? Would they casually forget Zimbabwe team toured and were perfectly safe?

The violent crime stats have dipped to pre 2005 levels and 1 million tourists are now visiting Pakistan annually. It is a large country with plenty of safe areas. Nobody is saying to go playing in Waziristan or Quetta. High crime areas are hundreds of miles away from safer places where cricket can happen.

It's up to Pakistanis to stop being so self loathing and do more to promote your country. No Indian person talks about their unrest in Kashmir or Maoist contested areas. They promote their safe areas and do it well.

Pakistan is ready to host international cricket. If players do not want to come and not let terrorists win then it is up to Pakistanis to educate them about what is good in the country, where they will be made to feel welcome and enjoy their stay.
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Which City Center in India is controlled by Maoists?
 
Eoin Morgan and Alex Hales should not have been given contracts as if their respective teams reached the final and they were available (which they aren't) they would not travel to Pakistan. They are exploiting the situation to their benefit.
 
Flat_Track_Bully said:
I don't understand why there is 1 rule for Pakistan and another for other countries.

Foreign players don't go to Kashmir or Maoist rebels city centre when they play in India do they? Bangladesh a much smaller country to Pakistan just had a terrorist incident, players still traveled.

Yes I know what happened in 2009 to SL team was unacceptably bad but that was nearly 8 years ago. So are we going to be banned for eternity for this? Do we not also deserve to defeat terrorism with foreign players playing in safer parts of Pakistan?

Is world ignorant enough to think there are no safe places in Pakistan? Would they casually forget Zimbabwe team toured and were perfectly safe?

The violent crime stats have dipped to pre 2005 levels and 1 million tourists are now visiting Pakistan annually. It is a large country with plenty of safe areas. Nobody is saying to go playing in Waziristan or Quetta. High crime areas are hundreds of miles away from safer places where cricket can happen.

It's up to Pakistanis to stop being so self loathing and do more to promote your country. No Indian person talks about their unrest in Kashmir or Maoist contested areas. They promote their safe areas and do it well.

Pakistan is ready to host international cricket. If players do not want to come and not let terrorists win then it is up to Pakistanis to educate them about what is good in the country, where they will be made to feel welcome and enjoy their stay.
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Totally agree with this.

The ideal state of security to the satisfaction of Westerners will never exist in Pakistan. If left to the westerners they will never ever come to Pakistan again. Pakistan Cricket cannot suffer forever. Must take a stand and force western teams to come to Pakistan.
 
AlphaFighter said:
Totally agree with this.

The ideal state of security to the satisfaction of Westerners will never exist in Pakistan. If left to the westerners they will never ever come to Pakistan again. Pakistan Cricket cannot suffer forever. Must take a stand and force western teams to come to Pakistan.
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How?
 
AlphaFighter said:
Totally agree with this.

The ideal state of security to the satisfaction of Westerners will never exist in Pakistan. If left to the westerners they will never ever come to Pakistan again. Pakistan Cricket cannot suffer forever. Must take a stand and force western teams to come to Pakistan.
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Absolutely wrong & victim mindset from incompetence of your own board.

What PAK is suffering today is self made & a consequence of lack of accountability. Western teams (actually every team) have shown enough support to PAK cricket. A bomb blasted within stone throwing distance of the hotel NZ team was staying - they came back next year to play 5 ODI. SAF, ENG, WI toured PAK after the Marriott bombing, even at it's most violent days India & Hong Kong (not mentioning other countries) played Asia Cup at Karachi. Despite threats, SRL team decided to tour PAK to prove their credibility of hosting 2011 WC - and paid for that. What do you expect?

Security is not some thing one can garuntee, but there is a preparation & credibility issue here. Is it that BD or SRL board/ Govt. more capable to ensure security than PCB/PAK Govt.? Never - still England is touring BD & ENG/AUS has toured stilanka. Euro went through in France, even an event like Tour de France covering 4000km over 30 days took place on time after the Nice attack. The reason is not because France or BD or SRL are full proof, rather there is a trust.

After March 2009 incident, PCB Chairman said that the responsibility lies with Punjab home ministry, as PCB informed them prior to the tour; Punjab police said that they couldn't deploy adequate manpower because that day there was a strike by opposition & they were busy there....... is this the way to build credibility (something to prove, SRL team was invited). Instead to trying to find whose responsibility, rather they'll stay away from the trouble - safe rather than sorry.

On contrary to common belief, I think ICC members are too soft & sympathetic to PAK - if major teams decide not to play PAK in UAE/neutral venues, what PCB can do? I don't think playing victim card will help - even majority Pakistani don't believe that PAK is safe enough to host teams for a long series.

These days, every countries has enough intelligence network - they have useful information on what's going around. The day PAK is tourable, I am sure every country, even Western teams will tour PAK (IND is a separate issue). PCB in doing fine under ground reality - maintaining good relationship with other boards & arranging PAK home games in suitable venues. If they try to show smartness beyond their capability, it'll bring more embrassment than begging for a series with India; which eventually will bring a complete isolation. Cricket board of SAF survived & kept their cricket alive even after 20 years of isolation - at PCB's competence level, cricket will die in PAK in less than half of that period, if PCB tries to do what you are suggesting. Instead of posting those false bravado, try to be realistic.
 
Fly in/ Fly out should be able to convince players.

They won't be staying in Lahore so it seems plausible
 
MMHS said:
Absolutely wrong & victim mindset from incompetence of your own board.

What PAK is suffering today is self made & a consequence of lack of accountability. Western teams (actually every team) have shown enough support to PAK cricket. A bomb blasted within stone throwing distance of the hotel NZ team was staying - they came back next year to play 5 ODI. SAF, ENG, WI toured PAK after the Marriott bombing, even at it's most violent days India & Hong Kong (not mentioning other countries) played Asia Cup at Karachi. Despite threats, SRL team decided to tour PAK to prove their credibility of hosting 2011 WC - and paid for that. What do you expect?

Security is not some thing one can garuntee, but there is a preparation & credibility issue here. Is it that BD or SRL board/ Govt. more capable to ensure security than PCB/PAK Govt.? Never - still England is touring BD & ENG/AUS has toured stilanka. Euro went through in France, even an event like Tour de France covering 4000km over 30 days took place on time after the Nice attack. The reason is not because France or BD or SRL are full proof, rather there is a trust.

After March 2009 incident, PCB Chairman said that the responsibility lies with Punjab home ministry, as PCB informed them prior to the tour; Punjab police said that they couldn't deploy adequate manpower because that day there was a strike by opposition & they were busy there....... is this the way to build credibility (something to prove, SRL team was invited). Instead to trying to find whose responsibility, rather they'll stay away from the trouble - safe rather than sorry.

On contrary to common belief, I think ICC members are too soft & sympathetic to PAK - if major teams decide not to play PAK in UAE/neutral venues, what PCB can do? I don't think playing victim card will help - even majority Pakistani don't believe that PAK is safe enough to host teams for a long series.

These days, every countries has enough intelligence network - they have useful information on what's going around. The day PAK is tourable, I am sure every country, even Western teams will tour PAK (IND is a separate issue). PCB in doing fine under ground reality - maintaining good relationship with other boards & arranging PAK home games in suitable venues. If they try to show smartness beyond their capability, it'll bring more embrassment than begging for a series with India; which eventually will bring a complete isolation. Cricket board of SAF survived & kept their cricket alive even after 20 years of isolation - at PCB's competence level, cricket will die in PAK in less than half of that period, if PCB tries to do what you are suggesting. Instead of posting those false bravado, try to be realistic.
Click to expand...

NZ only sent a second string team and the Marriot bombing happened in late 2008, SA and West Indies toured in 2007 & England toured in 2005, the only team to tour Pakistan after that was Sri Lanka.
 
Pakistanian said:
NZ only sent a second string team and the Marriot bombing happened in late 2008, SA and West Indies toured in 2007 & England toured in 2005, the only team to tour Pakistan after that was Sri Lanka.
Click to expand...

NZ do consider the value of their second string team equally - don't think, they would preserve their first team as the backups were expendables.

Apart from Marriott, there were so many incidence that time around that any team could have avoided touring PAK. Point is not that - point is, PAK is sole responsible for losing the credibility. I believe, sometimes in late 90s, entire Colombo airport was blown out, yet AUS & ENG toured SRL with in few months, or may be a year's time. Just about 2 months before England finalized their BD tour, 20+ Westerners were shot dead in a place less than 5KM of where ENG team is based & playing majority of the matches.

Security concern is like a flake of birds on the city squire - one shot & everyone will fly away, but they'll return one by one. If PCB tries to bring them all together too early, they might not return ever with next shot, even from an air gun.
 
http://tribune.com.pk/story/1259388/standby-pool-foreign-players-prepared-psl-final-lahore/

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has prepared a standby pool of foreign players for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final in Lahore, in case the ones set to line up for the two finalists decide to back out.

Considering the well-known reluctance of foreign cricketers to play in Pakistan, more than a few eyebrows were raised when the PCB announced the final of the league’s second edition will be held at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Lahore final ‘uncertain’ as PSL schedule announced

However, it seems the board is earnest in trying to bring at least some part of the league onto home soil. With four bulletproof buses already procured, the board is now keeping a set of back-up foreign players to replace any who opt against travelling to Pakistan.

The board also expects to have around 5,000 security personnel at its disposal for the match.

Peshawar Zalmi owner pitches IPL-PSL team matches to BCCI president

While a second draft may remove some of the shine of the final — the players in the back-up draft will understandably be of a lesser caliber and command less star-power than those in the original squad — it means that the decider may yet be held in Lahore.

The board is confident that such a situation will only arise if the country is hit by a terrorist attack that scares the players away, with an official revealing that most of the players have already agreed to come to Pakistan for the final subject to a security clearance.
 
Lahore to stage PSL final, confirms PCB

http://www.dawn.com/news/1307237/lahore-to-stage-psl-final-confirms-pcb

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday confirmed that the final of this year’s Pakistan Super League would be held in Lahore on March 9.

The PCB has confirmed that they are now working on the plans to bring the international players to the country, and if the players are not comfortable with the security arrangements, the PCB is also working on backup plans to replace these players.

International cricket stalled in Pakistan since the attack on Sri Lanka team bus back in 2009. Only Zimbabwe became the full member team to tour Pakistan in 2015 for a short series.

In order to revive international cricket in the country, the PCB has also extended an invitation to West Indies to tour Pakistan for a two-match T20 series in Lahore. However, the tour is subject to security clearances from the West Indies Players’ Association.

FICA, the international cricketers’ association, has however issued a statement which clearly indicates that there is a considerable security threat to players in Pakistan and thus the international players should refrain from touring the country.

Ever since the second season of the PSL was unveiled, PCB chief Najam Sethi had said that the finals would be in Lahore. The board has also taken several steps to bring this plan to the fore, and they have now received security clearances from the Punjab government.

The board has also bought four bulletproof buses, as they do not want to leave anything to chance. They also hope that this would help in building confidence measures and in convincing players to tour the country. Also, the players have been briefed about the fly-in, fly-out arrangements for the team.

The PCB is also trying to convince players to travel to Pakistan but if their efforts do not yield results they will have a new draft in place to replace these players.

The board has also decided that if no International players travel to Pakistan, they would play the finals with local players.

Sethi, who was lauded for the successful completion of the first year of the PSL, sounds optimistic of bringing international players to Pakistan. However, if FICA recommendations are anything to go by, the international stars could find themselves in a real muddle.
 
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