ICC Champions Trophy 2009

[Insomniac]

You said it was boring, not poor cricket for the players, I am arguing that it was not boring because a lot of the games were close low scoring contests.

Well, when the pitch curator is telling you whose gonna win, yes its boring.

 

[SaiSrini]

Whose talking about pitches here? Batsmen can almost close their eyes on a pitch in Pakistan and can still score hundreds of runs. Pakistani pitches have been of the worst kind of flat pancakes that have been dished out in the past few years (those two test matches vs india, I can never forget). Now, dont say we gave a good pitch in Karachi and you lost. If you could give such pitches, why didnt you give it in the first place (you tried to lull India into playing on docile pitches and then unfairly shock them with a lively pitch)?

There's nothing wrong in trying to glue a pitch if it helps improve the playing conditions. It obviously didnt work that well.

 

[Dare]

now ill just ask once again. What purpose does a terrorist have with blowing up a cricket player.

I don't care who doesn't send their players in, I hope that countries like Australia, England and South Africa don't send their best players it would mean a bigger chance that the West Indies might win it. Because I know that our players aren't that big of wussies as some of the before mention countries.

 

[usy]

lol, England? can win with their big players?

 

[angryangy]

now ill just ask once again. What purpose does a terrorist have with blowing up a cricket player.

I don't care who doesn't send their players in, I hope that countries like Australia, England and South Africa don't send their best players it would mean a bigger chance that the West Indies might win it. Because I know that our players aren't that big of wussies as some of the before mention countries.

The general opinion is that cricket is sacrosanct, but an attack doesn't actually have to be a good idea, it just takes someone to think it is. While I don't doubt that there are better targets, I also don't claim to have the rationale of a suicide bomber. This week, someone blew up a girls' school. Not a very provocative target unless you're so warped that the thought of girls being educated fills you with anger (or I guess, if you really hate school).

It wouldn't have to be a political target, because by attacking 'western' people (not a very apt word in this case), it would automatically become a political situation.

The question of security is not really one anyone here can answer properly, because that is not simply a matter of blatant common sense, avoiding certain areas, providing guards and saying 'hey, 99.999% of Pakistanis haven't been bombed, so you're going to be fine'. Problems with security arise over whether information can be acquired and what procedures are employed. Important people don't want to know that damage can be minimised, they want to know that potential risks can be eliminated before they become dangers. They want to know that the people in charge are aware of plots and able to provide warnings and plans.

Like I said, we down here can't simply itemise what concerns them. You could argue that there are still 10 or so bomb reports in the news each month and you can also ascertain that a lot of Pakistan is not under any apparent threat, but on the bottom line, we can only speculate what information they are making their decisions with.

Some part of me does think these teams should just man up and do it. At the same time, I know I don't trust the ICC very far and probably would not take their word for it either.

 

[usy]

Also PCB want to do this for money, can't disagree with you.

 

[Sureshot]

now ill just ask once again. What purpose does a terrorist have with blowing up a cricket player.

I don't care who doesn't send their players in, I hope that countries like Australia, England and South Africa don't send their best players it would mean a bigger chance that the West Indies might win it. Because I know that our players aren't that big of wussies as some of the before mention countries.

Wussies?

You are completely naive of the dangers.

 

[m_vaughan]

now ill just ask once again. What purpose does a terrorist have with blowing up a cricket player.

I don't care who doesn't send their players in, I hope that countries like Australia, England and South Africa don't send their best players it would mean a bigger chance that the West Indies might win it. Because I know that our players aren't that big of wussies as some of the before mention countries.

You can send your players then. Safety comes first and I think the players arent mad to consider not playing in the tournament unless they feel it is unsafe.

It doesnt matter if the blast was close to the players or not. There was a major blast during the time of the competition. So its a case for the players to consider, and they are not comfortable. Atleast KP isnt.

 

[usy]

Lets just wait and see how this whole thing goes on.

 

[nikhil_99]

Pakistan delighted at remaining hosts

Despite increasing concerns that big-name players from Australia, New Zealand and England could opt out of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the PCB is elated at being given the go-ahead to host the second-most important ODI tournament in the ICC's roster.

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/iccct2008/content/current/story/362408.html

Player lobbies step up pressure to pull out

The ICC's decision to go ahead with the Champions Trophy in Pakistan has drawn sharp criticism from players' associations in non-Asian countries, with South African cricketers leading the criticism of a decision backed by their own board. The reactions have mirrored concerns voiced at the meeting, with reports from Australia and New Zealand suggesting that their top players might not attend the tournament. The ICC, on its part, has waived penalties for player pull-outs.

"The South African team are very disappointed with today's decision and remain extremely concerned about safety and security in Pakistan," Tony Irish, chief executive of the South African Cricketers' Association, told Reuters. "We hope Cricket South Africa (CSA) will sit down with us and talk to us about whether they are seriously considering sending a team to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan or not."

http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/iccct2008/content/current/story/362377.html


ECB must take the call on Pakistan - Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen: "I've definitely got reservations - 100% - about going to Pakistan. I don't think pressure should be put on any individual, especially when you realise your life could be at risk".

 

[Cricketman]

zMario added 4 Minutes and 29 Seconds later...

7 Blasts rock Bangalore...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7525033.stm

And India is safer than Pakistan? Seriously.

Where did India come out of this discussion AT ALL?

 

[Dare]

Wussies?

You are completely naive of the dangers.

lol yes the great dangers a cricketer faces when playing a game.
Symonds was afraid to go to Zimbabwe, what was the problem at that time. Obviously the ICC would not risk the lives of the player that are making them the money, they went there and checked the situation and they said it was perfectly safe.

 

[khalek]

Gosh can we have some major tourneys in Australia or NZ? cricket in asia is so boring...

 

[Pak_cricketer]

Where did India come out of this discussion AT ALL?

Simple, the threat of terrorist attacks lies in India as well yet these players are happy to tour.

 

[m_vaughan]

India is safer than Pakistan for sure.