Should foreign players be allowed to dictate to their boards that they do not wish to play in Pak?

[Savak]

Pakistan has done a lot to prove that foreign teams and foreign players can play cricket in Pakistan. We have Hosted Zimbabwe for a T-20 and ODI series in Pakistan in 2015. We successfully hosted the PSL final in 2016 in Pakistan. We successfully hosted the World 11 in Pakistan in 2017 and we successfully hosted the Sri Lankans for a T-20 in Pakistan in 2017?

The PCB and the Pakistani govt has proven that they can provide full proof security to Foreign teams and Foreign players in Pakistan on many occasions in the last 2 years. The Pakistani nation has proven its hospitality towards foreign players as well

Should foreign players seriously have this much control and be allowed to dictate terms to their boards with regards to whether they wish to tour Pakistan or not? If it were left to these Western players they will make sure that they never have to tour Pakistan ever again for the next 100 years because of the fact that they will not be able to enjoy the lifestyle that they can enjoy in places like England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, India, Dubai and co.

It is one thing where the PCB and the Pakistani govt did not prove that they were able to successfully host a foreign team in Pakistan but even that is not the case anymore.

This is where the Western Boards should put their foot down with these players

 

[JattMaula]

Should people have free will?

 

[SM1989]

I agree, it should be made part of their contracts that they tour if and whenever their board wants them. They should not be allowed to pick and choose. If they drop out of touring a particular country for security reasons (even after their board has expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements) then their central contracts should get cancelled and they should lose their guaranteed paycheck, simple. Enough of these nakhre.

 

[reversehook]

First of all, it should always be an individual's choice. There should be no arm twisting at all. Yes we want cricket over here, but not in such manner.

Secondly, when players tour; and the whole idea of touring, is to absorb the culture, the environment, be able to go out and explore. Where as these poor souls came and were confined (yes some might have come only for the $$$ but still).

Finally, I am of the opinion that when you are given presidential level security, that only translates that things are not really all that well, and perhaps the threats are real.

Easier said than done... let things roll normally at the slow and steady pace, it will pay off eventually.

 

[vagabond007ti]

Are you ok if you are forced by your employer to go anywhere in the world without your consent?

 

[zn426]

Should people have free will?

They do have free will. They can choose to sign the contract or not. They can choose to be a cricketer or enter another profession. It is an honor to represent your country in athletic competition. Of course, if the alternative might be distasteful (not playing cricket and having to work in low level jobs), but that is the player's choice. Also keep in mind that many of these players who choose not to tour are the same ones who have options when it comes to playing in T20 cricket leagues. They are not border-line international players who would have no other choice if they wish to get paid.

 

[bones]

Are you ok if you are forced by your employer to go anywhere in the world without your consent?

I agree no employee should be forced to travel. However if you are in an occupation where travel is essential (consulting/aviation/sports) you should expect to be fired if you refuse to travel or at least ask for workarounds. Personally I would be more leniant with the Sri Lankans, they are the ones who suffered last time.

 

[InziRules]

Absolutely, [MENTION=2501]Savak[/MENTION]

I can see the financial benefit to the ACB, BCCI, ECB, CSA, and other cricket boards of making their players sign a contract that says they have to tour Pakistan. In fact, I'm sure the players won't protest and call it a violation of their rights being forced to travel to a place that is dangerous according to the foreign ministries of said countries.

Imagine not knowing that you can't force an employee to go to a place for which your government issues travel advice that says you shouldn't go there.

 

[Varun]

If a Western team has won everywhere but against Pakistan, and the series is to be held in Pakistan (and not the UAE) - that's one incentive I can see for players wanting to go there.

The lifestyle is an insignificant argument. It's a tour of a few weeks, not a job posting.

 

[InziRules]

They do have free will. They can choose to sign the contract or not. They can choose to be a cricketer or enter another profession. It is an honor to represent your country in athletic competition. Of course, if the alternative might be distasteful (not playing cricket and having to work in low level jobs), but that is the player's choice. Also keep in mind that many of these players who choose not to tour are the same ones who have options when it comes to playing in T20 cricket leagues. They are not border-line international players who would have no other choice if they wish to get paid.

And why would any board do that to get players to visit Pakistan?

 

[Sachin136]

I agree, it should be made part of their contracts that they tour if and whenever their board wants them. They should not be allowed to pick and choose. If they drop out of touring a particular country for security reasons (even after their board has expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements) then their central contracts should get cancelled and they should lose their guaranteed paycheck, simple. Enough of these nakhre.

Why would boards make this change and potentially have to cancel the contracts of their star players just for touring Pakistan?

 

[ahsan17]

I agree, it should be made part of their contracts that they tour if and whenever their board wants them. They should not be allowed to pick and choose. If they drop out of touring a particular country for security reasons (even after their board has expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements) then their central contracts should get cancelled and they should lose their guaranteed paycheck, simple. Enough of these nakhre.

I agree, but in practice this is too hard to do because boards might start losing their best players to leagues, etc. If the board has agreed to tour then yes ideally no player should be saying no to the tour. If the team is not going to tour it should be the board's decision.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why should any board force its players to tour any place they dont want to?This is not bonded labour.In India such a contract will in all likely hood be struck down by the supreme court.

With all due respect Pakistanis cannot decide for anyone whether it safe to tour Pakistan or not, that is that individuals decision.

 

[MenInG]

Why should any board force its players to tour any place they dont want to?This is not bonded labour.In India such a contract will in all likely hood be struck down by the supreme court.

With all due respect Pakistanis cannot decide for anyone whether it safe to tour Pakistan or not, that is that individuals decision.

Absolutely agree.

Only in the Army or the armed forces are contracts signed which assume some amount of personal risk. In that case, an Army person complaining about risk to his life will look a bit silly. Not so in Cricket. There is no clause in the Contract which says that.

 

[MMHS]

Is the life style in the 5 Star hotels & resorts in PAK are like what was in Baba Adam's time

I thought, foreigners touring in BD were much more happy to spend their time at Westin or Raddison pools, gyms, saunas, casinos and bars than risking stuck for 3/4 hours in Dhaka traffic.

May be, "recent" PAK is more Islamic ....... I had to mark "recent" here, because in 90s over 50 PAK players used to play in BD for 4/5 months and I have seen many of them from as close as nets or next table at lobby ...... many of them were well known faces as well - could bowl fast, could swing it, spin it, could bat with wrist and power .......

 

[zn426]

And why would any board do that to get players to visit Pakistan?

Because Pakistan is not the country in question. If you are signing a contract to play international cricket, you are agreeing to visit any country the team tours. Sri Lanka was plagued by the Tamil Tigers for years but did that stop teams from touring Sri Lanka? It did not, and it should not be a bar to tours of Pakistan given that the PCB's security measures have been proven to be effective multiple times now.

 

[the Great Khan]

Heres the thing, if your employer has carried out the neccessary checks, and has verified the security plan, then you should sign on the dotted line. Why would you not? especially when the rest of your team mates are ready to go. I find it disturbing that even when we have proven to provide top notch security which was the original excuse, some players are still reluctant. I can understand if an Indian or even someone from ENg or aus has a problem due to their involvement in the various issues locally, but countrys like the windies should be sending full squads for small tours.

 

[munda_khi]

just imagine for a second something happens and someone lose life or limb. how much trouble that board will be as player family will claim that player was forced to tour in a dangerous area.
i know that we pakistanis are frustrated and want international cricket in our country (me too) but we need to look the issue from the other side's point of view too. nobody signs to put there life in danger when they decide to become cricketer.

 

[Sachin136]

Heres the thing, if your employer has carried out the neccessary checks, and has verified the security plan, then you should sign on the dotted line. Why would you not? especially when the rest of your team mates are ready to go. I find it disturbing that even when we have proven to provide top notch security which was the original excuse, some players are still reluctant. I can understand if an Indian or even someone from ENg or aus has a problem due to their involvement in the various issues locally, but countrys like the windies should be sending full squads for small tours.

You're seriously calling it an excuse?

 

[MenInG]

Heres the thing, if your employer has carried out the neccessary checks, and has verified the security plan, then you should sign on the dotted line. Why would you not? especially when the rest of your team mates are ready to go. I find it disturbing that even when we have proven to provide top notch security which was the original excuse, some players are still reluctant. I can understand if an Indian or even someone from ENg or aus has a problem due to their involvement in the various issues locally, but countrys like the windies should be sending full squads for small tours.

Bro - no one can be forced if there life is an issue.

No board will take it on their conscience.

 

[the Great Khan]

You're seriously calling it an excuse?

yes. The borussia dortmund were attaked when they were in their bus recently, munich in the 70's yet Pakistan got hit harder than any country that has had to face athletes being attacked. inmho. You can disagree but thats my opinion.

 

[Misia]

you should not cannot force players to play anywere they do not feel comfortable playing

 

[asfandyar]

Why should any board force its players to tour any place they dont want to?This is not bonded labour.In India such a contract will in all likely hood be struck down by the supreme court.

With all due respect Pakistanis cannot decide for anyone whether it safe to tour Pakistan or not, that is that individuals decision.

Actually, Pakistanis are in the best position to decide whether it safe to tour Pakistan or not, because they have first-hand experience. The actual decision to tour rests with the individual.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Bro - no one can be forced if there life is an issue.

No board will take it on their conscience.

Conscience doesnot exist.What exists are possible legal,financial,political and other ramifications.

 

[Hasan123]

It should be the players choice to tour Pakistan or not. Can't force players to be in an environment they don't think is safe.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

No one wants to skip a tour, if someone does, it means he is uncomfortable doing that, or have fear. In that case, he might not be able to give his best. Fear is not a simple thing, it is complex. Cricket is a professional sport, not a prison. If one does not want to tour, it should be respected. But yes, they can always ensure the best security and try to convince them and provide assurance.

 

[Mp812]

Heres the thing, if your employer has carried out the neccessary checks, and has verified the security plan, then you should sign on the dotted line. Why would you not? especially when the rest of your team mates are ready to go. I find it disturbing that even when we have proven to provide top notch security which was the original excuse, some players are still reluctant. I can understand if an Indian or even someone from ENg or aus has a problem due to their involvement in the various issues locally, but countrys like the windies should be sending full squads for small tours.

Key words. You find it disturbing.
Fact: Player and their boards do not find it disturbing that they ain't touring where they don't want to. So why spoil internal relations for external entity

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

Yes. They should.

 

[vagabond007ti]

Actually, Pakistanis are in the best position to decide whether it safe to tour Pakistan or not, because they have first-hand experience. The actual decision to tour rests with the individual.

Don't you think Pakistanis will be biased and not in right position to decide if their own country is safe for others to travel?
I am perfectly fine eating street food in India but that doesn't make it safe for any foreigner tourists.
Everyone has right to decide how much risk they want to take in life.

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's very simple. Do what the Lankans just did.

If England or Australia decide to tour Pakistan , they should pick a squad from those are willing to travel. Those who are not willing to tour risk losing their place.

 

[asfandyar]

Don't you think Pakistanis will be biased and not in right position to decide if their own country is safe for others to travel?
I am perfectly fine eating street food in India but that doesn't make it safe for any foreigner tourists.
Everyone has right to decide how much risk they want to take in life.

We seem to overlook a small fact. If Pakistan were as unsafe as foreigners say, the local residents would have been afraid and overprotective. The first reaction then would have been: No bro, we can't afford to get another foreigner harmed. No human in their right frame of mind would be biased enough to drag someone in a dangerous area just for the fun of watching a cricket match.

 

[QalandarFan]

I understand we all want countries to start touring Pakistan, but it is not a dictatorship so we can not force anyone to tour, they have their own free will.

 

[giri26]

No team will force players to travel anywhere they do not want to. Cricket needs to return to Pakistan but it will be a slow process. Also boards are not going to cancel contracts of star players because they refuse to travel to Pakistan. Players decisions needs to be respected. I personally wouldn't travel to a place I don't want to even if it meant I need to quit the job. No board will want to put their players in that predicament.

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's very simple. Do what the Lankans just did.

If England or Australia decide to tour Pakistan , they should pick a squad from those are willing to travel. Those who are not willing to tour risk losing their place.

Lankans were ready to chose a B team and lose for whatever reasons.Why will any other country choose a weaker team and risk losing?

 

[Convict]

Lankans were ready to chose a B team and lose for whatever reasons.Why will any other country choose a weaker team and risk losing?

Well Australia does it.

If you have to fulfill contractual/tv right obligations to have a series just send a B team.

 

[Savak]

People are not acknowledging the fact that if it were left to these foreign players they will refuse to tour Pakistan for the next 100-150 years regardless of the security situation on the ground. This is where their level of say needs to be curbed and kept in check.

 

[Executioner]

I disagree with op.
I am a firm believer that each player has the right to withdraw from a tour if he has issues

Regarding contractual obligations. Players sign contract with the hope that their boards will take care of them. If however their boards force them to travel to a country they are not comfortable going to then we have an issue on our hands.

As a cricket fan I would love to see cricket back in Pakistan. I know a lot of Bangladesh cricketers will go to play in Pakistan. Tamim himself did and would do it again but if a certain player from BD doesn't neither me or any other person should push him to tour.

 

[Executioner]

People are not acknowledging the fact that if it were left to these foreign players they will refuse to tour Pakistan for the next 100-150 years regardless of the security situation on the ground. This is where their level of say needs to be curbed and kept in check.

But didn't Tamim Faf Sammy Amla Miller tour Pakistan recently?

 

[cricketjoshila]

People are not acknowledging the fact that if it were left to these foreign players they will refuse to tour Pakistan for the next 100-150 years regardless of the security situation on the ground. This is where their level of say needs to be curbed and kept in check.

That is their right to refuse.

 

[ahsan17]

That is their right to refuse.

Not really. I think Savak is alluding to the lack of nightlife, etc that cricketers from certain countries like, and that may keep them away from visiting Pakistan. In that case security is just an excuse to not tour.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Not really. I think Savak is alluding to the lack of nightlife, etc that cricketers from certain countries like, and that may keep them away from visiting Pakistan. In that case security is just an excuse to not tour.

It is a persons right to decide if he wants to visit Xyz country or not.Also no one else can decide if its excuse or a serious issue.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Lankans were ready to chose a B team and lose for whatever reasons.Why will any other country choose a weaker team and risk losing?

in T20 format Im sure many would. It will give their younger players an early chance and they might even discover some great talents via this.

The reason given is players and staff dont want to travel but if some do then let them.

 

[cricketjoshila]

in T20 format Im sure many would. It will give their younger players an early chance and they might even discover some great talents via this.

The reason given is players and staff dont want to travel but if some do then let them.

Thats for the boards to decide.It will highly unprofessional for most boards to send a weak team and lose.