Pakistan in shock after Bangladesh postponed tour

Pakistan is surprised and disheartened by a court decision to postpone Bangladesh’s planned tour of by at least four weeks, leaving the cricket fans under severe shock.

Citing security concerns as main reason, the Bangladesh High Court directed the national cricket team to postpone its trip to Pakistan for a bilateral series at least for four weeks.

It was scheduled to play a 50-over game and a Twenty20 international on April 29 and 30 in Lahore; the first international cricket matches since 2009 attack on Sri Lankan team.

Additional Attorney General M.K. Rahman observed, “It asked the cricket board to explain in the next four weeks. During the four weeks, the court imposed an injunction on the cricket team’s tour to Pakistan”.

The Bengali Tigers will be the first to visit Pakistan since a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus during the Lahore Test in 2009, when eight people died while seven including visiting players sustained injuries.

The lawyer, who filed the petition, said that they informed the court the Pakistan tour would risk the lives of Bangladeshi team.

He noted, “Pakistan is not a safe place for an international sports event. No other international teams are travelling to Pakistan. Why should Bangladesh go? The decision was imposed on the cricketers”.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a strong reaction expressing its annoyance over the postponement of the Bangladeshi tour.

A press note issued by the PCB said, “It is astonishing to note that a matter lacking any legal issue has been dragged in the court by petitioners who appear to have vested interest and want to jeopardise Pakistan-Bangladesh cricketing relations”.

It further said that it was extremely disturbing to note for the PCB and Pakistan cricket fans and world cricketing nations that such an adverse order has been passed to create a hurdle in a bilateral cricket tour.

Pakistan had hoped the tour would encourage other foreign teams to visit and ultimately pave the way to a full resumption of home international series.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.