Bangladesh tour hit by logistical issues

[straightdrive1]

The proposed Bangladesh tour of Pakistan, while agreed to in principle by the two countries' boards, is being threatened by logistical problems stemming from a lack of coordination at the political level. The PCB has delayed sending its security plan to the ICC because issues between the federal government and the state government of Punjab. Zaka Ashraf, the PCB chairman, urged the Pakistan government to play its role in moving quickly for the tour to fall into place, "for the sake of national interest."

Pakistan and Bangladesh, after reaching a consensus on the short tour, had informed the ICC earlier this week that they will play one ODI and one Twenty20 International at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The matches are scheduled for April 29 and 30.

Ashraf returned to Pakistan on Tuesday night after attending the ICC board meeting in Dubai, calling for an immediate press conference to announce the Bangladesh visit. He did not however elaborate on any substantial plan ahead for Pakistan to host a foreign team for the first time in three years. Every question about the uncertainty surrounding the Bangladesh tour was responded to with a confident reply that all matters would be sorted out in time.

Meanwhile, at a press conference at the National Cricket Academy, the Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif, welcomed the Bangladesh tour but was himself not certain of the security arrangements in place. "Bangladesh are our brothers and I welcome them to come and play here in Pakistan," Sharif told reporters in Lahore. "But the federal [government] is not coordinating with us."

The PCB, whose headquarters are housed in Lahore, the capital of Punjab, wrote a letter to the chief secretary of the Punjab Government on April 16 regarding security arrangements and plans and was still awaiting a reply from the provincial government. "We had dispatched them the letter for the plan (on April 16) that they are yet to respond to, but we will send the plan to the ICC shortly," Ashraf said. "The ICC actually was asking us to hand them the plan during the [board] meeting but we didn't carry it. It's our mistake that it is delayed for some reason but it will be sorted out soon."

Ashraf said that ICC has already promised to send their officials and the security plan that was sought by the ICC was merely a formality. "ICC won't be sending any of its delegation to assess security. They sought the security plan which we will dispatch to them shortly but that isn't a big issue for ICC."

ESPNcricinfo understands, though, that the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, after receiving the plan from the PCB, may consider outsourcing a company for an independent security assessment of the measures in place for the short tour by Bangladesh.

The series broadcasters, Ten Sports, also had their qualms. "They earlier showed reservation about the series being very short," Ashraf said, "but we told them this is what we have planned and that they have to cover it."

The prospect of an end to Pakistan's three-year drought of international cricket, Ashraf said, counted as a big victory. "Cricket is a passion in Pakistan and convincing Bangladesh to tour is a victory for all of us," he said. "The tour will not only benefit the PCB. The whole economy of the country is linked, so it's about the country not about the federal and Punjab government. I think all should play their role for the one national interest."

The three-day tour, Ashraf said, "will break the ice" and he was also confident of the resumption of Indo-Pak cricket. "The breakthrough achieved during President Asif Ali Zardari's tour to India will also help in the revival of Indo-Pak cricket."

Ashraf said the situation had changed considerably since 2009. "I thank the ICC Board for the way they appreciated the revival of cricket and approved of it. The situation is not like it was in 2009. Since cricket was suspended in Pakistan our grounds were left deserted but things have improved and I hope more teams will come after the Bangladesh team's tour."

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan...tml?CMP=chrome

[pakistanigoneaussie]

Do you have a link pls? Can't find this on cricinfo

[straightdrive1]

Opps, forgot to paste the link...

Here it is : http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan...tml?CMP=chrome

[riasat]

So I am guessing they really dont have a proper security plan in place or the plan is totally made by PCB without even asking the federal government if such arrangement is indeed possible??
Crazy mismanagement!!!

[sachin__]

No security detail in place...WOW

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777

[Gattuso]

Isn't it too much to ask security for a cricket tour..when there are more telling problems elsewhere in Pak ?

Even we once pushed IPL out of our country to ensure the security apparatus is focused on the national elections.

[Go_Bangladesh]

this is just ridiculous, first you say its safe, but then this,, come on guys, get real about the security issue, its not safe to go to Pakistan yet.

[Executioner]

this is poor stuff. I thought there was good plans, presidential security, what is this?

[hashmist]

This is just pathetic from PCB and Pak authorities. This tour is under so much scrutiny from all over the world and our authorities don't even have security details covered yet? And this after the last team that visited us got assaulted with machine guns? Is there any hope?

And nice try Mr Ashraf to downplay how this is "not a problem". Seriously? Having no clue of how we are going to provide security to the only team willing to visit us is "not a problem"? I am surprised Bangla and ICC did not just blast Ashraf out of the meeting room when he told them that 'dog ate the security detail' during the recent ICC meeting in Dubai.

Just plain incompetence, once again.

[hashmist]

And how did Bangla even agree to this tour w/o looking at the level of security they will be provided? Mind boggling. I was getting so excited for this tour, I feel like joining the Bangalis on the street to oppose this tour now.

[shaaan]

Shame on PML-N and PPP. They should be putting political difference aside for the sake of Pakistan. It seems to me Punjab Government (PML-N) want to put federal government (PPP) in bad light and vice versa.

Security is a coordinated effort between provincial and federal government. Given what is going on between the two parties in the recent days, I am not surprised nothing has been agreed upon between these two level of government.

[LegCutter]

This is just getting bizarre now. I hope the tour finishes and everyone goes home safe so all of us can go back to our lives

[khurramjamil]

Only the fans, players and Mr. Zaka is keen to revive cricket in the country ... its true that there is no coordination between the federal govt and the Panjab govt. and don't care about cricket and its revival in the country, may be an international tour is too much to ask for after all...

[[_O_]]

WTH!!....after soo much talk of 'Presidential Security'....how can you go to ICC witbout taking security detail when you know that was their biggest objection to the tour?! Seems like they wanted to buy time as they knew they have no plan so made excuse they forgot the notes.

Really poor stuff after weeks of blaming everyone else for worrying about security situation! now with 10days left they gonna rush the plans and it will be nowhere near as secure as they claim because of the rush.

[Buffet]

This is sad. I think this problem is coming mainly due to politics but it sends very bad signal to international teams irrespective of the outcome of BD tour.

This is ridiculous. Security details should have been worked out even before announcing the BD tour. Announced dates are not 6 months later.

I personally feel that this BD tour will not convince anyone to tour in future because perception outside is very bad and this kind of situation does not help to improve the perception.

[[_O_]]

Originally Posted by Buffet This is sad. I think this problem is coming mainly due to politics but it sends very bad signal to international teams irrespective of the outcome of BD tour. This is ridiculous. Security details should have been worked out even before announcing the BD tour. Announced dates are not 6 months later. I personally feel that this BD tour will not convince anyone to tour in future because perception outside is very bad and this kind of situation does not help to improve the perception.

Your right!

This tour will change nothing. It's laughable for PCB to think it will. The only reason BD touring is because Kamal wants to protect his interests.

How many other boards leaders can Pak blackmail?? none....meaning no need for anyone else to take the risk to tour.

This latest news has put a nail in the coffin of PAK cricket at home, all that is needed now is just 1 incident no matter how small, even if a car backfires near the stadium and that nails will be firmly hammered into the coffin, meaning many years without international cricket in Pak.

[Buffet]

Originally Posted by [_O_] Your right! This tour will change nothing. It's laughable for PCB to think it will. The only reason BD touring is because Kamal wants to protect his interests. How many other boards leaders can Pak blackmail?? none....meaning no need for anyone else to take the risk to tour. This latest news has put a nail in the coffin of PAK cricket at home, all that is needed now is just 1 incident no matter how small, even if a car backfires near the stadium and that nails will be firmly hammered into the coffin, meaning many years without international cricket in Pak.

I don't think an irrelevent incidents will have negative effect but Pakistan should take security seriously. Hopefully tour will go well with everyone safe. Some people leaving in Pakistan might feel bad about it but situation is not exactly right for cricket there specially when goverment is not serious about providing security.

Some time back, I jokingly proposed a soution. Have president of Pakistan or some high ranking army official stay with the visiting team till they leave. All security arrangements will be top class for sure and visiting team will know that at least Pakistan is providing best possible security. It's not practical though.

[[_O_]]

Originally Posted by Buffet I don't think an irrelevent incidents will have negative effect but Pakistan should take security seriously. Hopefully tour will go well with everyone safe. Some people leaving in Pakistan might feel bad about it but situation is not exactly right for cricket there specially when goverment is not serious about providing security. Some time back, I jokingly proposed a soution. Have president of Pakistan or some high ranking army official stay with the visiting team till they leave. All security arrangements will be top class for sure and visiting team will know that at least Pakistan is providing best possible security. It's not practical though.

Tbh PAK needed one of the top 5 teams to do a tour for it to really change things. BD touring will not do this as BCB had other interests (Kamal to head ICC & Pak players to play in BPL) which are known publicly so it just seems like a favour for a favour rather then BD going because things have really changed.

I just think other boards have enough excuses not to tour PAK so any little thing will be added to that list. For every reason that gets added to the list International cricket in PAK goes back a few years.

[Ruri]

Originally Posted by Buffet This is sad. I think this problem is coming mainly due to politics but it sends very bad signal to international teams irrespective of the outcome of BD tour. This is ridiculous. Security details should have been worked out even before announcing the BD tour. Announced dates are not 6 months later. I personally feel that this BD tour will not convince anyone to tour in future because perception outside is very bad and this kind of situation does not help to improve the perception.

Until the security situation improves enough that a non-Muslim, Western country would think about traveling, on their own free will, to Pakistan, nothing will change. England, NZ, Aus and SA would not be the first to do it. Zimbabwe and Windies might I'd suppose, but not now, and not till much much later in the future.

[JibranAnsari]

Rehman Malik is one of the most incompetent govt. Official in the world who would not even qualify to be a primary school teacher , let alone interior minister. He was the head of security when benazir bhutto was assassinated. Pakistan Cricket Board and fans should be very very patient and wait for the peace to come back to pakistan before cricket does. 500 men raided the bannu jail the other day and free a lot of millitants , and remained in the jail for 90 minutes without any intervention from anywhere. What's the guarantee another 500 armed men on a long caravan of vehicles won't attack the visiting cricketers and what's their plan even to counter 5 armed men or suicide bombers. Please wait for peace to prevail before inviting anyone.

[Buffet]

Originally Posted by Ruri Until the security situation improves enough that a non-Muslim, Western country would think about traveling, on their own free will, to Pakistan, nothing will change. England, NZ, Aus and SA would not be the first to do it. Zimbabwe and Windies might I'd suppose, but not now, and not till much much later in the future.

I don't think that safety issue has anything to do with muslim or non-muslim. Situation is not good in Pakistan, period. Militants will attack any high profile visible target if they can. Visiting cricket teams are way up in their list. Given all this , I find it puzzling why not have everything hashed out about security if you are still willing to have teams from outside.

It's not like Pakistan is not capable of providing security but if you project an image that you are not serious about it then no one will pay any attention to anything PCB has to say. Fault is with Pakistan government here. PCB can not ensure safety. Now even if BD tour goes safely it will not have the impact PCB was hopiong for. Goverment can not make Pakistan safe overnight but they should at least put their weight behind PCB to provide security.

[Random Aussie]

Just when you thought the PCB were going ok, along comes hilarious incompetence to remind you who they are....

[Lachrymose]

They have got to be kidding me! How could you possibly rant for six months repeatedly that Pakistan is "safe" to play in now, yet still have no security plan? SMH

[Ashraful_Rox]

Hahahahah why am I not surprised. Business as usual in PCB

[Executioner]

Originally Posted by hashmist And how did Bangla even agree to this tour w/o looking at the level of security they will be provided? Mind boggling. I was getting so excited for this tour, I feel like joining the Bangalis on the street to oppose this tour now.

the security team and the board president were SATISFIED with the security plans but its PCB and governments fault to provide the final plan and execute them properly

[Ironcat]

Just insert a clause containing "10%" somewhere in the deal, and it will all be silky smooth.

[choclate]

Originally Posted by Lachrymose They have got to be kidding me! How could you possibly rant for six months repeatedly that Pakistan is "safe" to play in now, yet still have no security plan? SMH

were you expecting a PMP certified Project Manager maybe making these statements, we very well know the caliber of these folks in planning

[Zamee]

looool Zaka trolled them big time

[pakistani1982]

faizan lakhani tweeted : PCB did send the security plan last night ...anyway there is no point now lol