ICC has messed up by delaying decision on Champions Trophy

[Bumper]

Taufel's statement is based on valid assumptions. At this point, all terrorists in Pakistan have been sent on a mission to bombard Indian cities. Until these bastards return to their main land, this may just be the safest window to play cricket there!

[King]

Simon Taufel, photographed while making this statement;

:hysterical:

[DomainK]

New Zealand is still not convinced on touring Pakistan. Consequences? After all that could be said and promised, New Zealand is still not convinced that its safe to tour Pakistan. They will most probably drop out. http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/iccct2008/content/current/story/365077.html

A television station in Pakistan has carried a warning that members of the Taliban have threatened suicide attacks in Lahore and Karachi. The cities are the only two venues being used during the Champions Trophy, which is due to start on September 12, following the cutting of Rawalpindi from the schedule.

New Zealand have experienced the dangers of touring Pakistan after a bomb exploded near the team's Karachi hotel in 2002. They left the country although, unlike Australia, they have been back, playing a one-day series in 2003-04. Australia have not visited Pakistan since Mark Taylor's outfit went there in 1998.

Mills was impressed with the detail of the safety outline, but was concerned how it would work in practice in a country battling political instability and acts of terrorism. "There is no question about the effort put in by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan government, the security plans are outstanding," he said. "They're the best we've ever seen for cricket. "But the fact is they are unproven and we don't know if the plans can be delivered. We need to see them demonstrated. The threat in Pakistan is real. There's a lot of political instability and we've seen more reports of activity by the Taliban."

Click the link for the full story. I have a few concerns about CT as well. I hope it goes well and safe. But even a small untoward incident will scar not only Pakistan but also India for ever. New Zealand's fears are based to a certain extent on ground realities. The situation in Pakistan has definitely developed in the last few months, but is certainly not reliable. I wonder, under such circumstances, should ICC put heavy penalty on a team that wishes to withdraw?

[Texy]

who wants to kill the kiwis......

[SachDan]

Champions Trophy can move to Sri Lanka: Richardson DUBAI: The General Manager of International Cricket Council (ICC), David Richardson, has said that the venue for the upcoming Champions Trophy would possibly be shifted to Sri Lanka from Pakistan on the registration of reservations from four leading nations. "The ICC taskforce needs to report back to the ICC, they need to take on the advice that they're picking up, not only from feedback they're getting from Australia, but also from New Zealand and England and South Africa and other parts of the world." Richardson maintained. According to The News, The ICC met with New Zealand representatives on Thursday to discuss the Champions Trophy, with nervous Kiwi players expressing grave reservations about the tournament, and is also set to meet South African and English officials. ICC general manager Dave Richardson told Friday's meeting that their advice was that the event would be safe. Richardson said shifting the tournament to Sri Lanka was an option if four leading teams refused to play in Pakistan.

[beetle]

They had a bomb blast outside their hotel when they were in Pak once. Can't blame them ...they don't get to see such senseless violence everyday. We are all desensitised to all this now.

[Ram]

Nonsensical decision by NZC. Bottom line is, if Pakistan isnt safe, then India isnt safe too. If India is safe enough, then Pakistan is also safe. Will these guys skip the next version of IPL citing security concerns?

[cowboysfan]

Nonsensical decision by NZC. Bottom line is, if Pakistan isnt safe, then India isnt safe too. If India is safe enough, then Pakistan is also safe. Will these guys skip the next version of IPL citing security concerns?

that reduced your points by half right there.

[beetle]

I guess ....The chickens have come home to roost.

[punjabi_khota]

....

[Rajiv]

..am more worried abt empty stands and lack of loud crowd noise

[THX_1138]

I dont think New Zealand's fears are justified. the global opinion towards pakistan is much like how we treat food leftovers... shrink wrap them and toss them into a corner of the refrigerator... only to pull it out a week or so later, and while all looks well, no one wants to taste it.

[THX_1138]

..am more worried abt empty stands and lack of loud crowd noise

yeah that is a major disappointment... the Asia Cup was a hollow performance by the local crowds.

[King]

NZ often have found themselves close to activity of terrorism in the past. Twice in Sri Lanka, NZ was very close to the bombing and once in Pakistan too. I still cannot forget the shock NZ team were in after witnessing the aftermath of bombing in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Fleming was in tears explaining the scenes he witnessed at his arrival back in NZ. A lot of players were shaken and it is understandable coming from NZ. Although you cannot say any place in the world is safe now the opinion about Pakistan is quite worse in this part of the world. The media often paints Pakistan as a highly religiously motivated, radical society where killings and bombings are very common. Despite the top class security offered, Pakistan is pictured to be a country that is on the boiling point all the time. Few months ago there were reports on TV news with kids as young as 4-5 year olds wielding guns and women dressed in black were fighting the govt with weapons. Obviously that kind of picture does no PR to Pakistan and Kiwis obviously are **** scared to visit Pakistan given what they are paid to play cricket. They would rather risk their lives in India for a million dollars than in Pakistan for few thousands.

[fineleg]

Why NZ - even India shud boycott this series in Pak. Unless Pak can stop their nonsense with India, BCCI shud boycott matches there.

[MundaPakistani]

Why NZ - even India shud boycott this series in Pak. Unless Pak can stop their nonsense with India, BCCI shud boycott matches there.

what the heck? can you please elaborate(try to be moderately impartial)

[vadodaravictor]

I dont think New Zealand's fears are justified. the global opinion towards pakistan is much like how we treat food leftovers... shrink wrap them and toss them into a corner of the refrigerator... only to pull it out a week or so later' date=' and while all looks well, no one wants to taste it.[/quote'] :hatsoff: what an analogy

[SachDan]

Australia to boycott Champions Trophy Malcolm Conn in The Australian reports that AUSTRALIA's players have officially refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, plunging the tournament into further chaos just three weeks before it is due to begin. Read more http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24209405-2722,00.html

[Dravid]

aussie players should be kicked out of IPL

[fineleg]

This is good news after good news. First the sample's sample B tested + (using DR's sample lingo for Asif :D) Now Aus and NZ boycott this. India should also boycott this CT there. Move it elsewhere or cancel it. No need to hold such a CT over there.