Play cricket in Pakistan – it's safer than you think

waleedhbk · January 28, 2013, 1:12pm

The history of England versus Pakistan cricket matches is filled withumpiring disputes. My favourite came in 1956, when a touring MCC team became increasingly frustrated with the decisions of Idrees Beg, who was apparently rather too willing to raise his finger to home appeals. After dinner, a group of MCC players donned masks and “kidnapped” the umpire, brought him back to their hotel and doused him with water. In some versions of this colourful tale, they debagged him, leaving him to run through the streets of Peshawar naked from the waist down.Yes, that’s right, Peshawar, capital of what was then called North-West Frontier Province.
The city stands at the restive gateway to the Khyber Pass. The city is filled with Pashtun tribesmen, many from across the Afghan border, giving the place a lawless frontier feel. It was here that CIA officers spotted the cellphone of Osama bin Laden’s courier, the man who led them to the al-Qaeda leader’s lair. Staff at the US consulate in the city have been attacked repeatedly since 2010.
British diplomatic staff are not allowed in the city at all – with or without trousers. It is difficult to believe test cricket was being played there only six or seven years ago.
I was reminded of the tale of Idrees Begg’s possibly apocryphal trousers at the weekend when it emerged thatEnglish cricketers were being warned not to travel to Pakistanto take part in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), a T20 tournament to be held in March. The country has been off limits to international XIs since the terrible attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.
It is true that Pakistan is a dangerous place. If you are a Shia, a Pakistani politician from Karachi, a 15-year-old girl who criticises the Taliban or if you venture into the tribal lands that butt up against Afghanistan, this is a country filled with danger.
Yet that is not the country that I know. Islamabad is a gentle city of roundabouts and parks. Today teams of gardeners are tidying verges ready for replanting. Yesterday, I strolled into the Margalla hills surrounded by families having picnics. Nowhere in Lahore or Karachi have I been made to feel anything other than welcome. Not once have I been concerned for my safety.
Too often the outside world seems to think it knows better. The bleak portrayal of the country in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty (I can assure you that American diplomats are not sleeping on sofas or slumming it with shared kitchens) or video games such as Medal of Honor, seem to suggest terrorists on every corner.
Forget all that. Instead follow the example of former Spurs star Graham Roberts and Irish rugby player Justin Fitzpatrick who have both had coaching stints here. Geoff Lawson has apparently let it be known he’d like to coach one of the PSL teams and Julien Fountain, from Sussex, is the current fielding coach of the Pakistan team, working under Dav Whatmore, an Aussie.
So my message to England’s players is: forget the dire warnings, and come and see for yourselves. My spare room is at your disposal. Although I would advise you not to kidnap anyone in Peshawar.

Play cricket in Pakistan

Quite an interesting read I say Pakistan is not that unsafe like the western media portrays…

Ali_Syed · January 28, 2013, 2:05pm

Re: Play cricket in Pakistan – it's safer than you think

Yeah I agree, every day kids play in the streets. Its very safe. :)

waleedhbk · January 28, 2013, 7:08pm

Re: Play cricket in Pakistan – it's safer than you think

A Taunt

Ali_Syed · January 29, 2013, 10:27am

Re: Play cricket in Pakistan – it's safer than you think

yes it is a taunt. When Punjab government knew that the Srilankan team was threatened why didnt they provide them with security then? Now you and I can say what ever we want but how can you convince the foreigners? How can we protect the teams when every other day attacks keep on happening in Pakistan with the security agencies and intelligence failing to preempt and stop them? Its not important to hold matches at the moment, the government should ensure security to its own people first.