"The PCB should have taken a firm stance with the BCB" : Asif Iqbal

[MenInG]

The recent joint communiqué by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), announcing the schedule for a shortened 2 match tour of Pakistan by Bangladesh is set to open a new chapter in the history of Pakistani cricket.

Previously, all foreign tours to Pakistan by ICC member nations came to a sudden stop when the visiting Sri Lankan team became unfortunate victims of a terrorist attack in March 2009. Pakistan was thus forced to play all “home” series at neutral venues, pending an improvement in the security situation. It therefore stands to reason that the news that Bangladesh will become the first International team to visit Pakistan after 3 years is being received with great fanfare by the PCB and the passionate fans who are eager to watch International cricket in Pakistan.

Whilst, the resumption of foreign tours to Pakistan is a matter of great pride for Pakistan for which the BCB deserves a huge vote of thanks by the PCB, there are some who question the real motives around the shortened itinerary.

In exclusive remarks to PakPassion.net, the former Captain of Pakistan Asif Iqbal, has expressed his displeasure as what he perceives as the disingenuous stand by the BCB in this matter.

“Make no mistake, the announcement of this tour is a positive development. However, as you know, the BCB and PCB had agreed on a full tour of Pakistan prior to the Asia Cup. This was to consist of Test and LOI matches. The proposed tour itinerary was drafted at the back end of negotiations which involved PCBs support for Mustafa Kamal’s nomination for the highest office in the ICC as well as a visit to Pakistan by a security delegation from the BCB. The security delegation was given assurances by the Pakistani Government at the highest levels and returned to Bangladesh satisfied with its findings. The final decision was referred to the Bangladeshi Government and at that time, there seemed to be no major impediments to this tour.”

“Once the unfortunate issue surrounding the Asia Cup final became known and I don’t want to go into that as I find that distasteful that the BCB had filed a complaint once the match was done and dusted, it seems that there was a change in attitude from the BCB and suddenly there were doubts being cast upon the feasibility of this tour.”

“The PCB should have taken a firm stance and told BCB in no uncertain terms that they should abide by their earlier decision. However, I do believe, and I can only go by media reports that a compromise was reached by using the leverage of Pakistan’s support for Mustafa Kamal’s appointment in ICC. This may have forced the BCB to consider a somewhat curtailed tour of Pakistan! If this is true then the tour schedule has been arranged for all the wrong reasons.”

Whilst the ICC has always maintained its position of neutrality on arrangement of tours based upon security considerations, Asif feels that the organization must take a firm view instead of “sitting on the fence”

“What I really find strange is that ICC on one hand say that they are happy with Pakistan and Bangladesh arranging this tour based upon mutual agreement but they will not provide officials for this tour due to security considerations. To me this stance is of no use. They should either approve of the tour, providing officials to give the tour legitimacy that it deserves or simply disapprove. They cannot sit on the fence!”

Many optimistic observers of the game in Pakistan will consider the arrival of a Bangladeshi squad on Pakistani shores as an important step towards the revival of International cricket in the country. Whilst the so called minnows or lesser able teams may consider touring Pakistan a possibility, It remains to be seen whether the Bangladesh tour will have any bearing on the position of the Big Three Boards in the shape of the ECB, CA and BCCI when it comes to resumption of tours to Pakistan. In Asif’s view, the refusal to tour Pakistan by these countries is based upon their own considerations and their position is unlikely to change in the near term.

“Bangladesh’s tour of Pakistan will have no bearing on the position of these [ECB, CA, BCCI] boards. They will only agree to tour Pakistan when their demands on security etc. are met – I don’t see that happening soon. In addition, let’s not forget that the ICC has to give its blessing to any tour of Pakistan. If they do, then it means that the security situation in Pakistan is fine – I don’t see them ever making that statement – at least not very soon. In the near future – say next 2-3 years - none of these three teams are likely to tour Pakistan”

Bangladesh are scheduled to play 1 ODI and 1 T20 game in Lahore on April 29th and April 30th respectively. The remaining part of the series, as mandated by ICC’s FTP program, will be scheduled at a later point after mutual consultation.

[MenInG]

Some hard hitting stuff from Asif - guess these things need to be said!

[Amjid Javed]

excellent points made and i think the BCB all of a sudden is getitng a little to big for its boots after a few decent results. BCB should remember that out of all the nations in the world game its usually been pakistan thats been most open to having decent length of series against them.

Sadly the BCB seems to be wanting to suck up to BCCI all off a sudden like the SLC. I guess money talks most in this world!

[Pete Rose]

I don't think the BCB owes Pakistan anything. However, their board does seem a bit incompetent, they committed without checking with their players.it should be noted that 'Bangladesh is getting too big for its boots and should not forget what they owe us' is the kind of talk that Ijaz butt spewed. All it got us are further strained relations with BCB and SLC.

[amjad145]

Originally Posted by Pete Rose I don't think the BCB owes Pakistan anything. However, their board does seem a bit incompetent, they committed without checking with their players.it should be noted that 'Bangladesh is getting too big for its boots and should not forget what they owe us' is the kind of talk that Ijaz butt spewed. All it got us are further strained relations with BCB and SLC.

looking at it in plain black and white, they dont owe pakistan anything. however, i feel a bit let down by them since it was agreed by the two boards that a full tour will be undertaken by bangladesh to pakistan including test matches. never mind.

[khalil1986]

Originally Posted by Pete Rose I don't think the BCB owes Pakistan anything. However, their board does seem a bit incompetent, they committed without checking with their players.it should be noted that 'Bangladesh is getting too big for its boots and should not forget what they owe us' is the kind of talk that Ijaz butt spewed. All it got us are further strained relations with BCB and SLC.

I disagree. We have always fought for them so maybe it's time to return the favour when WE need them.

[MenInG]

If you read Asifs comments, he is saying that things were fine before the Asia cup - nothing really has changed since then why change in the attitude?

[munda_khi]

Originally Posted by khalil1986 I disagree. We have always fought for them so maybe it's time to return the favour when WE need them.

mostly whole asian block always stand behind each other in icc. things getting deterioted after mumbai incident.

IMO opinion nobody owes anything to anybody. lets say after tour world accept that pakistan is a safe place and normal criicket tours start, are we going to say we owe it to bangladesh.

they are still taking big risk by touring pakistan. the bannu jail break should be a reality check.

[Pete Rose]

Originally Posted by MenInG If you read Asifs comments, he is saying that things were fine before the Asia cup - nothing really has changed since then why change in the attitude?

Would be speculation on my part, everything was ok till the BCB did a pulse check with their players and support staff.

[BD-fan]

The point is, no matter how long this series would be (one destination or several destination), Australia, NZ, England, India wouldn't send their teams to Pakistan. Even if BD plays 3 series back to back they wouldn't send their team. Does Zaka realize that? Why would Aus play in SL? Why would SA play in UAE? Why would Ind not play at all?

This is Zaka trying to impress all.

[MenInG]

Zaka Ashraf knows that and is trying to make the best of a very tough situation.

Bangladesh could have said no in the first instance but they didnt - why was that? What arm twisting could Pakistan do to make BD agree to a tour if it wasnt safe?

Make no mistake, brother, that I as a Pakistani wouldnt dream of putting anyone in harms way but we must open our eyes to some of the dealings in the background. Whether you support BD or Pak, we should both be asking some questions of our respective boards.

For a start

1. Was Pakistan any safer before Asia Cup
2. What did the security delegation report?
3. Was Mustafa Kamal's support from Pak a factor in the decision?
4. What transpired in the aftermath of the Asia Cup appeal that changed the complexion of what seemed to be a cordial relationship
5. Why are 2 games safer than 1 game or 4 games?
6. Why Lahore? The Sri Lankan team was attacked there? Why not other cities in Pak?

[khalil1986]

Originally Posted by munda_khi mostly whole asian block always stand behind each other in icc. things getting deterioted after mumbai incident. IMO opinion nobody owes anything to anybody. lets say after tour world accept that pakistan is a safe place and normal criicket tours start, are we going to say we owe it to bangladesh. they are still taking big risk by touring pakistan. the bannu jail break should be a reality check.

Of course if teams start touring (not gonna happen) than we will owe Bangladesh as they initiated it, we scratch their back they scratch ours, simples.

[leggie786]

Originally Posted by Pete Rose I don't think the BCB owes Pakistan anything. However, their board does seem a bit incompetent, they committed without checking with their players.it should be noted that 'Bangladesh is getting too big for its boots and should not forget what they owe us' is the kind of talk that Ijaz butt spewed. All it got us are further strained relations with BCB and SLC.

which world are you living in???

It is only and ONLY because of Pakistan that BD gained test status in 1999. Only due to Pakistan's support. Mind you, PCB was a very strong board back then, and they did assisted BD in everything possible. Had full series with them as well.
BD has played the majority amount of games (non-minnow country) against Pakistan only. So you can't say that Pakistan owes nothing.

[Pete Rose]

Originally Posted by leggie786 which world are you living in??? It is only and ONLY because of Pakistan that BD gained test status in 1999. Only due to Pakistan's support. Mind you, PCB was a very strong board back then, and they did assisted BD in everything possible. Had full series with them as well. BD has played the majority amount of games (non-minnow country) against Pakistan only. So you can't say that Pakistan owes nothing.

i think people who assume that someone owes them a favor life live in a fantasy world. to educate, Bangladesh has toured paksitan aplenty in previous years to fill gaps for countries like Aus, and SA that did not tour before the Sri Lankan attack debacle.
So no, they dont owe us anything - for this deterioration of relations you need to look the previous bumbling administration.
This tour is curtailed simply because Bangladesh did not check with all stakeholders before comitting to tour.

[MenInG]

Originally Posted by Pete Rose i think people who assume that someone owes them a favor life live in a fantasy world. to educate, Bangladesh has toured paksitan aplenty in previous years to fill gaps for countries like Aus, and SA that did not tour before the Sri Lankan attack debacle. So no, they dont owe us anything - for this deterioration of relations you need to look the previous bumbling administration. This tour is curtailed simply because Bangladesh did not check with all stakeholders before comitting to tour.

And you are speculating here as well.

[shehzadd]

Mr Asif iqbal Icc still welcome this tour because Bangladesh touring with thr own responsibility, Icc is not responsible for any further demage to them. So Icc welcomed and appreciated them for this brave decision. they r not sending thr officials to Pak is not a wrong decision.

After those bombings on SL team and on other match officials, I think Icc has to ban International cricket in Pak at least for 20 years and same time we should feel shame that in our country this has been happend and CAN HAPPEN AGAIN. But we r forcing other teams to tour pak again. At the same time we ourself know that pak is full of suicide bombers and is no more a safe place for famous and rich ppl. But thr is still some selfishness in ome ppl and still blaming other countries, ICC etc.

I am a Pakistani and I know here a lot of other pakistanies they would like to go pak but they dont dare to go and they r very afraid. Our government has make a ceasefire contract with those suicide bombers, so still they r growing in Pak with more strength and becoming more dangerous. I cant understand why bangladesh is touring pak. I dont think thr full team will come. Still some ppl will be blaming to ICC and those Muslim players for not visiting to pak.
I pray''Allah rehem karo hum per;;

[Pete Rose]

Originally Posted by MenInG And you are speculating here as well.

True. Lots of questions on this thread.

[KA$H]

look beggars cant be choosers - I for one am gald that any tour is happening at all


the scaling back of the tour, is probably the BCB's attempt at risk management and negotiation to demonstrate to their own stakeholders that they are not walking blindly into any situation and that they have the stronger hand in this instance

[James]

Originally Posted by Pete Rose i think people who assume that someone owes them a favor life live in a fantasy world. to educate, Bangladesh has toured paksitan aplenty in previous years to fill gaps for countries like Aus, and SA that did not tour before the Sri Lankan attack debacle. So no, they dont owe us anything - for this deterioration of relations you need to look the previous bumbling administration. This tour is curtailed simply because Bangladesh did not check with all stakeholders before comitting to tour.

Must say, I completely agree.

[AamchiMumbaikar]

^ He was referring to the PCB as beggars not BD :facepalm

[Joy Bangla]

and we are the one who never appriciate anything

[Maximas]

Originally Posted by MenInG If you read Asifs comments, he is saying that things were fine before the Asia cup - nothing really has changed since then why change in the attitude?

Originally Posted by MenInG Zaka Ashraf knows that and is trying to make the best of a very tough situation. Bangladesh could have said no in the first instance but they didnt - why was that? What arm twisting could Pakistan do to make BD agree to a tour if it wasnt safe? Make no mistake, brother, that I as a Pakistani wouldnt dream of putting anyone in harms way but we must open our eyes to some of the dealings in the background. Whether you support BD or Pak, we should both be asking some questions of our respective boards. For a start 1. Was Pakistan any safer before Asia Cup 2. What did the security delegation report? 3. Was Mustafa Kamal's support from Pak a factor in the decision? 4. What transpired in the aftermath of the Asia Cup appeal that changed the complexion of what seemed to be a cordial relationship 5. Why are 2 games safer than 1 game or 4 games? 6. Why Lahore? The Sri Lankan team was attacked there? Why not other cities in Pak?

I see lots of gun pointed on BCB/Kamal for souring this issue more and more. I'm kinda astonished ctrl+f = BPL.. nothing matched! coz BPL is the main reason Kamal playing this streched drama. First you gotta understand Kamal and BCB aint same entity to represent Bangladesh.

Kamal cant put BPL in risk, after the threat made by PCB. Kamal needs (still looking for) a way to satisfy Zaka that he has done enough to owe Zaka's clearance on BPL, when he knows it very well that there is divided idea about Pakistan tour in board members and media is all against it. Kamal needs a blaming party (icc/fica/anti-pak media/Law etc) and in same time he needs to stand by Zaka to promote PCB's agenda to everyone.

[MenInG]

Little did Asif know what was coming next !