SA call for venue change in Pakistan(Merged)

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
1

**SA call for venue change in Pakistan **

Wisden Cricinfo staff - September 4, 2003

The South African board (UCB) has formally requested that two of the fixtures on their forthcoming tour of Pakistan be moved, amid fears for the safety of the players. **The venues that are deemed to be of concern are Karachi, which is due to host a tour match, a Test, and an ODI, and Peshawar, which will stage the third Test. **

“We have received a letter from the UCB requesting to relocate matches from Karachi and Peshawar,” said Rameez Raja, the chief executive of the PCB. “But we will convince them not to change the fixtures. I will write them in the next two days and request them not to demand any venue changes. We can’t deprive the people of Karachi of international cricket.”

The UCB was advised by South Africa’s foreign office that while there was no particular threat to South Africans, there were “areas of concern”. Bronwyn Wilkinson, the head of communications at the board, said the UCB wanted those two venues to be switched.

Rameez, however, is insistent: **“We know [South Africa’s] foreign office has not forbidden them to travel to these cities,” he said, “because the situation is safe. We hosted two Tests in these cities against Bangladesh in the last fortnight. The tour itinerary was confirmed by the UCB and we hope all will settle down.” **

Graeme Smith, South Africa’s captain, said that the team would adhere to any instructions given by the board.

© Wisden Cricinfo Ltd

2

Bombing shombing ka tau PCB kuch nahi karr sakti, but what about crowd issues? Which was the venue which had a lot of crowd control issues recently? If it was Karachi, then they should not put matches there. It will be an embarassment. Unlike B'Desh, with SA, I am sure people will again be back in the stadiums.

3

Here we go again. :rolleyes:

I always thought test matches should always be held at lesser known cities like Multan or Peshawar, because people over there don’t get to see too much cricket, while Karachi should host one dayers.
But this is just unreasonable thinking from the South Africa foreign ministry, where were they went the tour was scheduled.
Why are they raising this issue only 3 weeks before the start of the tour.

4

South Africa is acting like babies.

I take it Graeme Smith has never been to a Premiership match in Manchester, or anywhere else. Besides, it's not like the crowd are going to destroy the place down. Cricket should forget the cup of tea, and add enthusiasm to the game.

If you show Test Matches in big stadiums then withen a period of 5 days you will get a good profit. In a One Day, your capacity will be full. I'm sure PCB has thought it out.. on which will get bigger revune. Besides, India does it the same way too with their big stadiums.

5

i would expect such tactics only from a team like india

6

ahhahah what a bunch of pussies
is'nt there country full of crime anyway, i mean they got like flame throwers on there cars to stop carjackings in SA, these guys gotta smarten up

7

SA ‘will be safe’ in Pakistan

Pakistan have promised tight security for the South African team during their forthcoming Test and one-day series.

The tourists have asked for games in Karachi and Peshawar to be moved to alternative venues because of safety worries.

But the Pakistan Cricket Board have tried to ease their concerns by offering a level of security normally provided for visiting heads of state.

"The UCBSA [United Cricket Board] is finding it difficult to get insurance for their team for the matches in Karachi and Peshawar.

“But we have assured them again that conditions in both cities are not bad and South Africa can play without major concerns,” said PCB chief executive Ramiz Raja.

Graeme Smith’s side are due to play a warm-up game and a day-night one-day international in Karachi later this month, with Peshawar scheduled to stage the second Test match.

A Test match in Karachi between Pakistan and New Zealand had to be cancelled in May 2002 after a bomb went off outside the tourists’ hotel.

But Tests at both venues between Pakistan and Bangladesh recently passed off without incident.

Pitch policy

English groundsman Andy Atkinson, meanwhile, has been asked to travel to Pakistan in the hope that he can help produce livelier pitches for the Test series against South Africa.

“Atkinson is a seasoned curator and has been to Pakistan before and seen the pitches at different centres. He knows the conditions in Pakistan well,” said Ramiz said.

He formerly worked as head groundsman at Edgbaston and Newlands in Cape Town.

8

SA to decide on Pakistan tour

South Africa could pull out of this month’s tour to Pakistan if a United Cricket Board (UCB) delegation is not satisfied with security arrangements.

A safety party is heading to Pakistan on Sunday after South Africa’s foreign affairs ministry advised against Graeme Smith’s team going to Karachi, Peshawar and towns bordering Afghanistan.

“We will not be sending a team anywhere where there is a threat to security,” UCB communications director Bronwyn Wilkinson told the BBC Sport website.

“We have been told there is a minimal risk of a premeditated attack and because of this we need to ensure no stone is left unturned.”

South Africa are set to play four one-day matches and three Tests between 24 September and 27 October.

Bangladesh’s current tour of Pakistan is the first to be held in the country since May last year when New Zealand aborted their series following a suicide bomb attack outside the team hotel in Karachi.

Karachi is due to host a warm-up game, the first one-dayer and the third Test.

“We will still need advice from foreign affairs on whether they want us to go at all or to avoid Karachi and Peshawar, or to go under special conditions,” Wilkinson added.

“We asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to alter the itinerary, but they were reluctant to do that because of the planning that had gone into the tour.”

The PCB has tried to ease concerns by offering a level of security normally provided for visiting heads of state.

:frowning:

9

PCB can not assure anyone security from a bomb blast! Who are they kidding. They should be lucky to have teams willing to play in Lahore, Pindi and Faisalabad. Why they keep pushing their luck?

10

wats most annoying is that they bring this up 3 weeks b4 the start

11

Security concerns again threaten South African tour](http://uk.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2003/SEP/254814_CI_12SEP2003.html)

The status of South Africa’s tour to Pakistan was thrown into doubt with the news that the South African foreign ministry has advised the side against going to Karachi, Peshawar, and any areas near the Afghanistan border.

“We will not be sending a team anywhere where there is a threat to security,” Bronwyn Wilkinson, the communications director for the South African board (UCB), told the BBC. "We have been told there is a minimal risk of a premeditated attack and because of this we need to ensure no stone is left unturned.

“We will still need advice from foreign affairs on whether they want us to go at all or to avoid Karachi and Peshawar, or to go under special conditions,” Wilkinson explained. “We asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to alter the itinerary, but they were reluctant to do that because of the planning that had gone into the tour.”

Last week the UCB formally asked the PCB to move the matches at Karachi, which is due to host the tour-opener, a Test, and an ODI, and Peshawar, which will stage the third Test. The PCB expressed reluctance because of the planning that had already gone into the matches, and it added that it believed its security measures – which are those normally reserved for state visits – were more than adequate.

Security experts appointed by the UCB will leave for Pakistan on Sunday, and they will meet with the PCB and local police before returning to South Africa on Thursday (September 18) to deliver their report. The squad is scheduled to leave for Pakistan on the following Sunday.

Rashid Latif, Pakistan’s captain who is currently sitting out a five-match suspension, urged the South Africans not to cancel any part of the trip. “There is absolutely nothing wrong in these two cities,” he said. “We have just played Bangladesh in Tests in Karachi and Peshawar and everything was fine. I don’t think the South Africans should expect any problems.”

12

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Faisal: *
PCB can not assure anyone security from a bomb blast! Who are they kidding. They should be lucky to have teams willing to play in Lahore, Pindi and Faisalabad. Why they keep pushing their luck?
[/QUOTE]

I agree. Our public has been starving for cricket at home and PCB has been whinning about not generating enough revenues. For now we'll just have to put up with the "concerns" of the touring parties and let them play wherever they feel safe.

13

**Imran criticises South Africa’s security fears **

Wisden CricInfo staff - September 12, 2003

Imran Khan has criticised South Africa’s demand to change the venues of two matches during their forthcoming tour of Pakistan. Imran, now a member of the federal parliament, said:** “I see [the] South African demand [as] illogical after assurances by the Pakistan government that the team would be given highest security. The government is the best judge of the security in the country. Terrorism can take place anywhere in the world and most countries have unpredictable security, including South Africa.” **

The South Africans are due to tour Pakistan from September 22 until October 27, during which time they will play three one-day internationals and as many Tests. Their itinerary includes a limited-overs warm-up game, an ODI and a Test in Karachi, and another Test in Peshawar, matches which South Africa want rescheduling to other venues.

A three-man delegation from the South African board will travel to Pakistan on Sunday to ascertain the security situation. The Pakistan board meanwhile, has assured that top-level security will be in place throughout the tour.

Security fears have blighted cricket in Pakistan recently with teams refusing to tour the country following two suicide-bombings in Karachi in May and June last year. As a result, Pakistan were forced to play two of their home Tests against West Indies and Australia at neutral venues last year.

One of those blasts, on May 8 last year, was outside the touring New Zealanders’ hotel. As a result, they packed their bags and cut the tour short by one Test. However, New Zealand are set to compensate that match by returning to Pakistan in November this year when they will play five ODIs, even though they have refused to play in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Imran blamed the ICC for this whole security palaver:** “The ICC has failed to play a lead role, it’s the ICC who messed up the Zimbabwe issue in the World Cup,” he said, referring to England pulling out of their group match in Harare because of security concerns. **

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd

14

**de Villiers warns against Pakistan tour **

Telford Vice - September 12, 2003

Fanie de Villiers spent almost as much energy sightseeing as he did bowling during his playing career, but this peripatetic paceman would rather avoid Pakistan right now.

de Villiers spoke to Wisden CricInfo on the eve of the departure for Pakistan of a United Cricket Board (UCB) delegation that will assess safety in the country ahead of South Africa’s tour imminent but jeopardised tour there.

The South Africans have been advised by their government to steer clear of Karachi, Peshawar and Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, and have asked the Pakistan Cricket Board to amend the itinerary accordingly. But the Pakistanis are reluctant to do so, pointing out that the United Cricket Board accepted the current itinerary months ago.

“Pakistan is always an interesting tour,” said de Villiers. “I wouldn’t like to see politics keeping the boys away, because the people there love their cricket.” But, he said, there were other factors to consider: “We went on tour to Sri Lanka in 1992 a few months after New Zealand abandoned their tour there because of a bomb blast,” he pointed out. “But, if was still playing, I wouldn’t go to Pakistan at the moment. If we’re sending a security delegation there’s already enough doubt about safety.”

The fact that one of the protagonists in the growing debate concerning the tour should feel obliged to arbitrate in the matter was part of the problem, de Villiers said. **“Why is it a South African delegation that’s going, why not an International Cricket Council [ICC] delegation,” he asked. "Is the ICC capable of running international cricket, or not?

“The ICC should make this decision. If they think it’s safe, then South Africa should go.” With the dilemma that was thrust on England’s players about playing a World Cup in Zimbabwe still fresh, de Villiers was adamant who the fate of the tour should not be left up to.

“It should never be the players’ decision,” said de Villiers. “If I was a current South African player - after a World Cup that didn’t go well and a long tour of England - I wouldn’t be too keen.” **

Delegation member Ian Smith, the UCB’s commercial director, denied he had the power to decide whether the tour went ahead. “We’re not looking to cancel anything - I’m confident the tour will take place,” he said. “But the safety of the players is paramount, and we’re going there to make sure that what we’ve been told is correct and that we get what we need from the Pakistanis.”

South Africa are due to arrive in Pakistan on September 22.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd

15

Imran criticises South Africa's security fears

Imran criticises South Africa's security fears
Wisden CricInfo staff - September 12, 2003

Imran Khan has criticised South Africa's demand to change the venues of two matches during their forthcoming tour of Pakistan. Imran, now a member of the federal parliament, said: "I see [the] South African demand [as] illogical after assurances by the Pakistan government that the team would be given highest security. The government is the best judge of the security in the country. Terrorism can take place anywhere in the world and most countries have unpredictable security, including South Africa."

The South Africans are due to tour Pakistan from September 22 until October 27, during which time they will play three one-day internationals and as many Tests. Their itinerary includes a limited-overs warm-up game, an ODI and a Test in Karachi, and another Test in Peshawar, matches which South Africa want rescheduling to other venues.

A three-man delegation from the South African board will travel to Pakistan on Sunday to ascertain the security situation. The Pakistan board meanwhile, has assured that top-level security will be in place throughout the tour.

Security fears have blighted cricket in Pakistan recently with teams refusing to tour the country following two suicide-bombings in Karachi in May and June last year. As a result, Pakistan were forced to play two of their home Tests against West Indies and Australia at neutral venues last year.

One of those blasts, on May 8 last year, was outside the touring New Zealanders' hotel. As a result, they packed their bags and cut the tour short by one Test. However, New Zealand are set to compensate that match by returning to Pakistan in November this year when they will play five ODIs, even though they have refused to play in Karachi.

Meanwhile, Imran blamed the ICC for this whole security palaver: "The ICC has failed to play a lead role, it's the ICC who messed up the Zimbabwe issue in the World Cup," he said, referring to England pulling out of their group match in Harare because of security concerns.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd

16

De Villiers: "It should never be the players' decision," said de Villiers. "If I was a current South African player - after a World Cup that didn't go well and a long tour of England - I wouldn't be too keen."

This should only be about safety, whether the players fancy it or not after a long tour doesn't really have anything to do with it. A stupid remark.

17

these goras alwayz r a pain in the back...

18

I agree with Fannie's this remark :-

*"Why is it a South African delegation that's going, why not an International Cricket Council [ICC] delegation," he asked. "Is the ICC capable of running international cricket, or not?
The ICC should make this decision. If they think it's safe, then South Africa should go." *

Akpower - South Africans are kalas too :)

19

^ yeah but we're Arabians., Kala gora same difference

20

Pakistan ‘safe’ for Proteas

**International Cricket Council match referee Mike Procter believes South Africa should go ahead with their tour to Pakistan later this month.

A United Cricket Board delegation is due to arrive on Sunday to discuss security arrangements for the tour following concerns about games scheduled for Karachi and Peshawar. **

And the UCB has warned that they will not be “sending a team anywhere” unless they are satisfied.

But former South African Test player Procter, who has been officiating for the Pakistan v Bangladesh, series, **described the security arrangements put in place as “excellent”. **

He said: **"It would not be fair for me to comment on the UCBSA stand on playing in Karachi and Peshawar, as they have their concerns, but they have been in touch with me and taken feedback from me.

“I have given them my frank views. But I can understand that the negative image and information about some cities in Pakistan to the outside world does have a bearing on how others think about playing in Pakistan.” **

New Zealand pulled out of a Test match in Karachi last year following a bomb explosion outside the team hotel.

And Pakistan, in consequence, had to play ‘home’ series against Australia and West Indies at neutral venues

The three Tests against Bangladesh - two of which were staged in Karachi and Peshawar - were their first on home soil since the explosion and passed off without incident.

But the UCBSA has asked their Pakistani counterparts to switch their games scheduled for the two cities to be moved to alternative venues.

Well…where the UCBSA goes here from now? Shouldn’t they be satisfied with the words of their own countryman, Mike Procter?