Will the attack on former PM Imran Khan make security an issue (again) for visiting teams?

[MenInG]

The murmurs have begun.

==

Statement on incident in Pakistan

LAHORE, Pakistan – Cricket Ireland is aware of an incident involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan that took place approximately 150km outside Lahore, venue of the three ODIs and three T20Is between Ireland Women and Pakistan Women.

Cricket Ireland is currently liaising with the Pakistan Cricket Board, in-country security advisors and diplomatic services. The PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain has spoken directly with Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom and Team Manager Beth Healy, and provided them with an updated assessment of the on-ground situation.

Current advice provided to Cricket Ireland is that there will be no change in the threat level as a result of this incident. The Ireland Women’s squad has been briefed, while Cricket Ireland’s security advisors will continue to review procedures and monitor the situation.

However, presently there are no anticipated changes to the security arrangements and procedures that are already in place for the tour.

Updates will be provided if any circumstances change.

==

England’s cricket team could be forced to review security arrangements for their forthcoming Test tour of Pakistan following the deadly gun attack which left cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan injured.

Khan, one of his country’s greatest ever players and latterly prime minister of Pakistan, was hit in the leg after shots were fired at a campaign truck during a protest in Wazirabad in the Punjab region.

One supporter was killed at the scene and nine others injured, but 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted from office in April, reportedly escaped serious injuries. He was seen in blurry footage being carried with a bandage around his right leg.

The Irish women’s cricket team are on tour in Pakistan and are assessing the situation, though a statement stressed they were currently working from an unchanged security threat. Their counterparts at the England and Wales Cricket Board will surely be making their own inquiries too, with Ben Stokes’ Test team set to arrive for a three-match Test series in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi on November 26.

The ECB had no comment when contacted by the PA news agency but it is understood that the governing body’s long-time security advisor Reg Dickason is overseeing arrangements for the tour on an ongoing basis. Regular discussions also take place with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

New advice from both could now be incoming, though talk of cancellation appears premature at this stage.

Just a few weeks ago England toured Pakistan for the first time since 2005, contesting seven T20s. The trip, which followed a controversial abandonment of a planned series in 2021, went without a hitch with a host of England players and management praising their welcome and handling.

Bulletproof buses, dedicated security teams, additional uniformed and plain-clothes police and snipers were all on hand to look after the squad.

A statement from Cricket Ireland, who are due to play their first ODI in Pakistan on Friday, said: “Cricket Ireland is aware of an incident involving former prime minister Imran Khan that took place approximately 150km outside Lahore, venue of the three ODIs and three T20Is between Ireland Women and Pakistan Women.

“Cricket Ireland is currently liaising with the Pakistan Cricket Board, in-country security advisors and diplomatic services. The PCB chief executive Faisal Hasnain has spoken directly with Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom and team manager Beth Healy, and provided them with an updated assessment of the on-ground situation.

“Current advice provided to Cricket Ireland is that there will be no change in the threat level as a result of this incident. The Ireland Women’s squad has been briefed, while Cricket Ireland’s security advisors will continue to review procedures and monitor the situation. However, presently there are no anticipated changes to the security arrangements and procedures that are already in place for the tour.”

Pakistan men’s captain Babar Azam, fresh from helping his side to victory over South Africa at the T20 World Cup in Australia, tweeted his support for Khan.

“Strongly condemn this heinous attack on [MENTION=5335]imrankhan[/MENTION]PTI. May Allah keep Kaptaan safe and protect our beloved Pakistan, Ameen.”

https://news.yahoo.com/england-cricketers-could-forced-review-182639544.html

 

[MSaad1237]

It surely gives a negative overall image of the country for sure and in the cricketing world aswell since Imran Khan is a huge name in Cricket.

 

[Visaal-E-Yaar]

Must have some impact lets hope teams will not back off.

 

[MenInG]

It surely gives a negative overall image of the country for sure and in the cricketing world aswell since Imran Khan is a huge name in Cricket.

This is an important point.

 

[Suleiman]

Will more than likely hurt. If a former PM and a cricketing legend can be shot at by a random crazy, then what does that mean for civilians.

Hopefully this smooths over, but so far not a good sign

 

[hamzie]

Pakistan was never safe to bring back cricket

 

[Usergame]

Would not blame any player/team for not wanting to travel.
Too much history of violence.

 

[Varun]

If that big tour* goes off properly, it should be fine.

*The New Zealand one - which has 8 ODIs.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Very unlikely. Shinzo Abe was recently killed in Japan - did that change anything? I live in Pakistan and I can testify that it is generally a safe country for cricket. Politicians are at threat everywhere.

Even in NZ which is probably one of the safest countries in the world, politicians have a decent amount of security.

 

[Major]

nope. Its a non issue for cricketing teams visiting

 

[Usergame]

nope. Its a non issue for cricketing teams visiting

Is it really? I doubt it.

 

[DRsohail]

Yes of course.

 

[MenInG]

nope. Its a non issue for cricketing teams visiting

If it was Cricket Ireland would not have issued a statement.

 

[Mamoon]

It should.

Pakistan is not safe to host cricket and teams should not take the risk.

 

[Major]

If it was Cricket Ireland would not have issued a statement.

Threat level hasn't changed though..

It was not a bomb blast, plus Imran thankfully did not die. So wouldn't be an issue

Had it been a bomb blast or had God forbid, Imran died, than a big security concern would had been created and that too because whole country would had right fully cause civil disobedience.

 

[Savak]

Pakistan is always asked to fulfill unrealistic security demands by other nations ie there should not be a single death, murder, crime within the country.

I am pretty certain that New York has more crime, murders per annum versus Pakistan.

 

[Mamoon]

Very unlikely. Shinzo Abe was recently killed in Japan - did that change anything? I live in Pakistan and I can testify that it is generally a safe country for cricket. Politicians are at threat everywhere.

Even in NZ which is probably one of the safest countries in the world, politicians have a decent amount of security.

Are you actually comparing Pakistan to Japan?

Japan does not have a long, documented history of terrorism. A sports team was not attacked in Japan 16 years ago.

Pakistani fans need to realize that teams will give Pakistan any benefit of doubt and they have no reason to. They will always adopt a “better safe than sorry” approach when it comes to Pakistan.

Such incidents will do a lot more damage to Pakistan’s reputation than they would do Japan or any other safe country.

 

[ExpressPacer]

Are you actually comparing Pakistan to Japan?

Japan does not have a long, documented history of terrorism. A sports team was not attacked in Japan 16 years ago.

Pakistani fans need to realize that teams will give Pakistan any benefit of doubt and they have no reason to. They will always adopt a “better safe than sorry” approach when it comes to Pakistan.

Such incidents will do a lot more damage to Pakistan’s reputation than they would do Japan or any other safe country.

The answer to your comment is in your comment itself.

A sports team was attacked in Pakistan 16 years ago...

As other posters have suggested, the risk level of Pakistan has not changed because of this event. Politicians are always at risk in every country.

If there was, khuda-na-khwasta, a bombing, I would be inclined to agree. While these incidents would damage any country's reputation, I don't think they damage it to the point where the country is deemed dangerous. There are hundreds, if not thousands of tourists from Western countries travelling to Pakistan these days without any problems relating to security.

 

[RainStopsPlay]

No way Asia Cup is happening in Pakistan next year after this incident. All the recent hue and cry by Ramiz Raja after India denied touring looks irrelevant considering the unsafe environment right now. Going to be a Deja Vu for Pakistan yet again.

 

[Rajdeep]

OfCourse it would. Considering the attack was on a cricket legend, murmurs will be even more.

But as a cricket fan who always wanted cricket to be back in Pakistan, I hope teams don't cancel their tours. India won't travel to Pakistan anytime in near future with or without this attack anyway, but I hope other teams continue to tour.

I think bilateral tours will continue but Asia Cup & Champions Trophy will be shifted out from Pakistan.

 

[Sarwar89]

From 1952-2002 cricket touring countries never had any issue visiting Pakistan. Hosted 87 and 96 world cups as well. Practically pakistan was major host of 1996 world cup as 2 Quarter finals and world cup final took place in Pakistan.

1990 Hockey world cup in Lahore another example. Various Hockey champions trophies in 80/90’s & tri series cups ( cricket ).

Turn of the century, cometh 2001/02 cricket has never been the same for Pakistan. 20 years on
Whole 2 generations have changed.

Our generations do not know the feel the vibe of home world cup or champions trophy.

I am lucky enough to witness euphoria of 1990 hockey and 1996 cricket world cups in Pakistan.

Home world cups bring something else. 9/11 hurt pakistan very badly, it is misfortune.

Our team also declined gradually post 2000 era combined with disappearance of hockey. It is indeed unfair but that is how evolutionary cycle works in sports.

 

[Mamoon]

The answer to your comment is in your comment itself.

A sports team was attacked in Pakistan 16 years ago...

As other posters have suggested, the risk level of Pakistan has not changed because of this event. Politicians are always at risk in every country.

If there was, khuda-na-khwasta, a bombing, I would be inclined to agree. While these incidents would damage any country's reputation, I don't think they damage it to the point where the country is deemed dangerous. There are hundreds, if not thousands of tourists from Western countries travelling to Pakistan these days without any problems relating to security.

Some mistakes are too big to forgive and forget. It might be 16 years for Pakistanis but Pakistan will always bear the brunt of that attack in 2009 will always get the short end of the stick. It is a reality that they have to live with.

Also western tourism in Pakistan is misleading. Most of these tourists are adrenaline junkies with GoPro cameras sticking on their foreheads or perhaps food vloggers.

These people tend to take more risks than the common man. The average western tourist has no reason to come to Pakistan because Pakistan has nothing to offer to them.

They would rather go to Dubai, India, Sri Lanka etc. than come to Pakistan.

 

[jnaveen1980]

No you are wrong. Pakistan is not the only country on whose soil sporting team was attacked. In Munich Olympics the Israeli contingent was attacked and killed. Did that make Germany unsafe?

I agree in 2009 the attack on the Srilankan team shook the entire cricketing world and the reprecussions led to no country touring Pakistan. But now the situation is not the same. Mark himself has said that he was happy with the security provided. This assaination bid is a part of the internal politics of India and shouldn't concern the players.

Yes, the players have every right to fear for their life but the British embassy in pakistan should assess the situation and if convinced about safety convince the ECB to go ahead with the series.

Do you really think cricketers will look up history and risk their lives? Even if there is a 1% chance they will think. YOu would think.

 

[PakPremi]

No you are wrong. Pakistan is not the only country on whose soil sporting team was attacked. In Munich Olympics the Israeli contingent was attacked and killed. Did that make Germany unsafe?

I agree in 2009 the attack on the Srilankan team shook the entire cricketing world and the reprecussions led to no country touring Pakistan. But now the situation is not the same. Mark himself has said that he was happy with the security provided. This assaination bid is a part of the internal politics of India and shouldn't concern the players.

Yes, the players have every right to fear for their life but the British embassy in pakistan should assess the situation and if convinced about safety convince the ECB to go ahead with the series.

Terrorism also happened in New Zealand in the mosque Bangladeshi crickters were heading to pray, the delay of their arrival there saved them.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Terrorism also happened in New Zealand in the mosque Bangladeshi crickters were heading to pray, the delay of their arrival there saved them.

That was a coincidence. Sri Lanka was a deliberate attack. Pakistan back on the brink. Suffered too much due to WoT

 

[ExpressPacer]

Some mistakes are too big to forgive and forget. It might be 16 years for Pakistanis but Pakistan will always bear the brunt of that attack in 2009 will always get the short end of the stick. It is a reality that they have to live with.

Also western tourism in Pakistan is misleading. Most of these tourists are adrenaline junkies with GoPro cameras sticking on their foreheads or perhaps food vloggers.

These people tend to take more risks than the common man. The average western tourist has no reason to come to Pakistan because Pakistan has nothing to offer to them.

They would rather go to Dubai, India, Sri Lanka etc. than come to Pakistan.

I live in Pakistan but I'm currently studying in New Zealand.

5 of my friends are coming back with me for the summer break purely of their own volition without me having even asked/convinced them. I didn't even propose the idea - they just saw my Instagram stories and photos of the North and wanted to go.

So, in my limited experience, I don't think its just adrenaline junkies with a GoPro. Of course, we don't have established tourist resorts or facilities or even experiences outside of great food, so that's why you probably don't see more tourists.

When and IF such businesses grow in Pakistan, and the security situation remains relatively peaceful as it is now, you will see more and more tourists come.

Even with the numbers we have now, it is probably a thousand times more than what we did when I was growing up in the 2000s and 2010s.

 

[junoon]

Will SENA teams be reluctant to tour Pakistan after attack on Imran Khan?

Do you think SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand & Australia) teams will be reluctant and unwilling to tour Pakistan after attack on Imran Khan.

If the former prime minister of the country is not safe then how can others feel safe?
The worst case scenario is that we will go back in time to the 2010s and end up having to play Pakistan's home series in UAE.

 

[Savak]

Premature. The Western media and international players just want a convenient excuse to not tour Pakistan even if someone farts.

Pakistan has successfully hosted Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Australia, England in the last 7 years for ODIs, T20s and Test matches without any issues not to mention various PSL seasons at home.

Right now the Ireland women's team and the Bangladeshi U19 team is playing in Pakistan.

Actually even more than the Western media and players, the local Pakistani people and media need to get over their inferiority complex of worrying about anything the Westerners think and accept the fact that Pakistan is safe for international cricket and the Pakistani security forces are very capable of providing hundred percent security to international cricketers.

 

[Runner Up]

Besides attack on former PM, PCB should start preparing for alternate venues for PSL as well (may be UAE). This political unrest will continue until next general elections and all the security agencies will be too busy in protecting politicians.

 

[RexRex]

Actually even more than the Western media and players, the local Pakistani people and media need to get over their inferiority complex of worrying about anything the Westerners think and accept the fact that Pakistan is safe for international cricket and the Pakistani security forces are very capable of providing hundred percent security to international cricketers.

It has nothing to do with security, if we're being honest. They just don't want to live in a bubble, confined to the hotel premises. Players can roam around the city by themselves or with a couple of friends during SENA tours .

Can they do it on subcontinent tours ? Not possible. The moment you step outside you'll have a thousand fans breathing down your neck. Gilly and Steve Waugh went shopping once in Chennai during an Indian tour and in no time they had about 600 people following them, they had to make a run for it.

 

[moghul]

This could happen anywhere in the world when a political leader leading in a march and not caring about any of his security and was among thousands of people . A large number of people love and also there are many who want him dead.

Touring cricketers will not be an easy soft target they will be provided with proper security and above all army and government will not be planning anything against them.

 

[moghul]

Besides attack on former PM, PCB should start preparing for alternate venues for PSL as well (may be UAE). This political unrest will continue until next general elections and all the security agencies will be too busy in protecting politicians.

This does not make any sense.

 

[MenInG]

The current assault on former Pakistan PM and cricketer Imran Khan has nervous the BCCI. India and Pakistan haven’t performed a bilateral collection since 2012 attributable to political tensions, attributable to which each side (IND vs PAK) play solely in ICC tournaments and Asia Cup. India will host the World Cup in 2023 and through this time each the international locations will likely be nose to nose, whereas Pakistan is internet hosting the Asia Cup 2023. Keep related with Hindi.

A senior BCCI official informed InsideSport, “You noticed the current assault on Imran Khan. If a former PM and a beloved cricketer will be attacked, who says the visiting workforce cannot be?”

These two international locations clashed of their first match of T20 World Cup 2022. Greater than 90,000 folks had reached the stadium to see this match performed on the Melbourne Cricket Floor. Whereas each the groups performed an thrilling match, a disagreement broke out between each the BCCI and the PCB.

After BCCI secretary Jay Shah introduced that India wouldn’t journey to Pakistan, the PCB hit again and advised that they boycott the 2023 World Cup to be held in India. India has not traveled to Pakistan since 2008 and BCCI is adamant about it. The current assault on Imran Khan has elevated the priority of the Indian board and now this standoff is more likely to proceed. The previous Pakistan captain and prime minister was shot within the leg throughout a rally final week.

A senior BCCI official informed InsideSport, “Clearly, there will likely be exchanges. However see, as now we have stated many occasions, going to Pakistan shouldn’t be in our fingers. It’s as much as the Authorities of India. Additionally, the political state of affairs in Pakistan is already tense. You noticed the current assault on Imran Khan. If a former PM and beloved cricketer will be attacked, who’s to say the visiting workforce will not? It is probably not safe in the intervening time. However sure, there will likely be dialogues for the 2023 World Cup.”

The final bilateral tour between the 2 groups was in 2012. Pakistan had traveled to India on that event for a restricted overs collection. The Pakistan workforce has since come to India for the 2016 World Cup. That was the final time. Since then, each groups have solely performed at impartial venues.

https://cricktale.com/india-vs-paki...-worried-over-attack-on-imran-khan-check-out/

 

[Snowflake]

A massively polarizing political leader is attacked at an event that had zero security. It’s like any criminal act that would happen every day on the streets.

Should have zero implications on cricket tours.

However, you can bet your bottom dollar for the BCCI guys to run their mouths ) such a petty bunch.