Lawson slams Australia postponement / PCB insurance (merged)

[Zechariah]

Pakistan coach Lawson slams Australia postponement
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
GEO NEWS

KARACHI: Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson said Australia's decision to call off their tour over security fears on Tuesday was disappointing and unjustified. Lawson, a former Australia paceman, lashed out after the tour scheduled for March-April was postponed following a double bomb attack in the eastern city of Lahore that killed at least 21 people. "I don't think they (Australia) are justified in postponing the series. I am living in Pakistan and feel secure," Lawson told reporters. "I am disappointed, although it was expected. It is a shame that we are not playing Australia at a time when they are beatable." The tour was due to begin on March 29 and Lahore was one of the venues where Australia were due to play. Lawson said the postponement would have multiple effects on Pakistani cricket. "There is an immediate disappointment of not having the best team in Pakistan and it's a loss for players, fans, administrators who lose quality cricket," he said. "It may have a major effect in the short term and it's up to the PCB to assure that it will not have a major effect in the longer run," he added, referring to the Pakistan Cricket Board. "I think the Australians should have come here full steam ahead," Lawson, who took up his position last August to replace the late Bob Woolmer, told the Australian Associated Press here. "Bombs do go off. You can't argue with that. But they're focused on particular targets that have nothing to do with sport, and particularly nothing to do with cricket."

[161]

Thank You Lawson for speaking up.

You have more guts than Malik and DNA who have both been cowards regarding issue.

[Omar-45]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Thank You Lawson for speaking up. You have more guts than Malik and DNA who have both been cowards regarding issue.

Malik did offer to ring the Aussie players up to assure them of the security arrangments that would be made. And What can Malik say to change the Aussies mind? They didnt listen to Lawson when he was over in Australia during the christmas break and hes a Australian, what chance has Malik got?!!

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by Omar-45 Malik did offer to ring the Aussie players up to assure them of the security arrangments that would be made. And What can Malik say to change the Aussies mind? They didnt listen to Lawson when he was over in Australia during the christmas break and hes a Australian, what chance has Malik got?!!

Knowing him, he would haver probably offered to do Nikah with one of the players!

[Saj]

The most annoying thing about this whole episode is that everyone knew they wouldnt come to Pakistan irrespective of how many or how few bombs went off in the country. Instead though they agreed to a rescheduling of the tour length, played a game with the PCB into lulling them into thinking that the tour would go ahead and then a matter of a few weeks before they were due to commence the tour, they call it off.

They have screwed Pak cricket and the PCB and the PCB really need to look at some sort of compensation package.

[Mohsin]

Originally Posted by Saj The most annoying thing about this whole episode is that everyone knew they wouldnt come to Pakistan irrespective of how many or how few bombs went off in the country. Instead though they agreed to a rescheduling of the tour length, played a game with the PCB into lulling them into thinking that the tour would go ahead and then a matter of a few weeks before they were due to commence the tour, they call it off. They have screwed Pak cricket and the PCB and the PCB really need to look at some sort of compensation package.

Am i right in thinking that the PCB insured this series? I think they did, not sure...

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by Mohsin_Pak786 Am i right in thinking that the PCB insured this series? I think they did, not sure...

Yes they did.... but insurances don't come cheap specially for these kind of events. I remember reading the amount this tour was insured for which was way less than the projected income from the trip but on the same token PCB did not state how much the insurance cost! DNA has FOOLED people in thinking that tour cancellation will not be a monetary loss but in reality it was just a hog wash!

Still, it does not gets CA off the hook for REFUSING to tour Pakistan..... postponed or canceled does not matter!

[dblock]

Originally Posted by W63L35 Yes they did.... but insurances don't come cheap specially for these kind of events. I remember reading the amount this tour was insured for which was way less than the projected income from the trip but on the same token PCB did not state how much the insurance cost! DNA has FOOLED people in thinking that tour cancellation will not be a monetary loss but in reality it was just a hog wash! Still, it does not gets CA off the hook for REFUSING to tour Pakistan..... postponed or canceled does not matter!

Actually there was an article suggesting Lloyds of London would not actually be paying up the compensation if the tour was canceled on security grounds, apparently that was not part of the insurance deal.

It would be very embarrassing but more importantly very costly if that was the case.

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by dblock Actually there was an article suggesting Lloyds of London would not actually be paying up the compensation if the tour was canceled on security grounds, apparently that was not part of the insurance deal. It would be very embarrassing but more importantly very costly if that was the case.

Thank you..... for clarifying. I was wondering HOW THE HECK an insurance company would insure something which include the incidents like Lahore (today). Another example of DNA make a fool out of fans and media.

Hash, any comments... since you had given the "insurance" argument in about 8 out 10 posts that you posted that why PCB should not consider neutral venue??

[whyhkk]

would the insurance company pay up even though the tour is not exactly canceled .... it is postponed

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by whyhkk would the insurance company pay up even though the tour is not exactly canceled .... it is postponed

I guess only Mr. Naseem "honest" Ashraf can answer this question.... but if I have to guess, NO because it is NOT canceled!

[Muzy]

lol like malik could have done anything, if they aint listening to lawson who's an aussie then what could malik and co have done

this is just plain sad, im angry too that aussies aren't coming would have been a suprising series

but honestly the way DNA organised this is embarassing making us look like fools and degrading the value of cricket, aussies are showing the difference of what first class is and what economy class is and that is what is damaging cricket imo

[tracker22]

Originally Posted by Zechariah Pakistan coach Lawson slams Australia postponement Tuesday, March 11, 2008 GEO NEWS

i am so disgusted and mad with " ASS tralian " cricket team...they really treated PCB and DNA as a piece of ..#@%*...they didn't show any respect to 160 million pakistanis, and their love for the cricket, this is the time when the rest of the world should be standing behind pakistan..since we are fighting their war... good job "MUSHARAF "another medal for you and your countrymen.....for doing them favours....

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by tracker22 i am so disgusted and mad with " ASS tralian " cricket team...they really treated PCB and DNA as a piece of ..#@%*..

Somebody will treat you like a piece of #@%* only if you bend over and let them do it.

"We are obviously very disappointed at this decision," Ashraf said. "I guess there is not much we could do and we sincerely hope that the tour of Australia to Pakistan can materialise at the earliest opportunity."

BCCI on the hand took ICC/CA to task for the things that happened in Aus recently..... right or wrong!

[Nadia]

So you guys think its DNA's fault or PCB's that Australia is not comming to Pakistan?

If bombs are going off in cities like Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi etc etc regularly ... whould you expect any team to show up?

THE ANSWER IS NO.

[sayed.jaffar]

Originally Posted by Saj The most annoying thing about this whole episode is that everyone knew they wouldnt come to Pakistan irrespective of how many or how few bombs went off in the country. Instead though they agreed to a rescheduling of the tour length, played a game with the PCB into lulling them into thinking that the tour would go ahead and then a matter of a few weeks before they were due to commence the tour, they call it off. They have screwed Pak cricket and the PCB and the PCB really need to look at some sort of compensation package.

I agree with you that PCB should demand some sort of compensation package. However, I dont agree with the notion that it was already understood that Australia made up their mind not to tour Pakistan. We all know Australia had shown reservations about visiting Pakistan but they had also suggested a smaller series with fewer ODIs or Test matches. It is not easy for them to pull out of this tour simply suggesting that the country is unstable. But the yesterdays' bombing was icing on the cake and they cancelled. However, if there wasn't any bombings in Lahore, in my opinion, PCB could have forced them to visit Pakistan and play a shorter series.

[moumotta]

Originally Posted by dblock Actually there was an article suggesting Lloyds of London would not actually be paying up the compensation if the tour was canceled on security grounds, apparently that was not part of the insurance deal. It would be very embarrassing but more importantly very costly if that was the case.

Sounds right to me. Most, almost all insurance contracts 9/11 have exclusions for terrorism related events. Postponement VS cancellations may provide another Get Out clause for the insurance company depending on the wording of the contract.

[TaZ]

Asstralia. Sums it up.

[Kriketer]

I feel like cursing Australia too, but then again these bomb blasts aren't going to halt. I guess no body would want to be anywhere near or in a city where bombs go off occasionally.

[dblock]

Originally Posted by Nadia So you guys think its DNA's fault or PCB's that Australia is not comming to Pakistan? If bombs are going off in cities like Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi etc etc regularly ... whould you expect any team to show up? THE ANSWER IS NO.

South Africa, Zimbabwe have turned up.

Bangladesh and then later India, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong are due to come..I don't understand your 'expect any team to show up' argument - clearly some teams are prepared to turn up.

It was quite a hard one for the PCB to handle because some events were beyond their control but they have allowed Australia to walk all over them by first delaying the tour for a month and then canceling a few weeks before their scheduled tour.

Surely he must take some blame for an expected 8million Aus dollar loss. That could absolutely cripple cricket in Pakistan.

[dblock]

Originally Posted by sayed.jaffar I agree with you that PCB should demand some sort of compensation package. However, I dont agree with the notion that it was already understood that Australia made up their mind not to tour Pakistan. We all know Australia had shown reservations about visiting Pakistan but they had also suggested a smaller series with fewer ODIs or Test matches. It is not easy for them to pull out of this tour simply suggesting that the country is unstable. But the yesterdays' bombing was icing on the cake and they cancelled. However, if there wasn't any bombings in Lahore, in my opinion, PCB could have forced them to visit Pakistan and play a shorter series.

The decision had been made to cancel before the Lahore bombing anyway. Read Osman Samiuddins blog on cricinfo.

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by dblock The decision had been made to cancel before the Lahore bombing anyway. Read Osman Samiuddins blog on cricinfo.

Yes and the bombings in Lahore - and the other ones last night - seem to support that decision to be honest.

Very sad we are not coming all I had hoped we would, in spite of the danger.

[mmkextreme_1]

An insurance policy that was supposed to protect the Pakistan Cricket Board from financial losses from Australia's refusal to tour has not yet been brought before the PCB governing body for approval.

The policy was apparently taken out with Lloyds of London.

"No one except the Board Chairman Nasim Ashraf and the chief financial operating officer have seen the insurance policy," a source said.

"Not even the Chief Operating Officer of the Board has been given a copy," he claimed.

No one is aware what the insurance policy is all about.

"At the last governing body meeting, some members did enquire about the much talked about policy but the chairman failed to give a satisfactory reply," the source stated.

Ashraf had said earlier this year that the Board had got the Australian tour to Pakistan insured for around USD 7.4 million.

The PCB paid a heavy premium on the policy, details of which have not been released as yet.

"There is some problem with the policy because apparently the postponement of the tour might not be included in the policy coverage clauses. Secondly, even the aspect of security is apparently not completely covered," a source disclosed.

The Aussies refused to tour for a series starting last month citing security concerns.

Ashraf recently said the legal team of the Board was vetting the policy before he could give any details.

"The fact is copies of this policy have not been distributed to us. We were just told about it briefly, that is all," a governing body member said.

Sources say Senator Enver Baig of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians will raise the insurance policy issue when the Senate Standing Committee on Sports grills PCB officials on April 26.

"The internal auditor has already raised objections on some spending by the Board recently," a source said.


http://www.cricketnext.com/news/susp.../31045-13.html

[161]

Glad to see that our media is going after him.

Our fiercely independent press has to be our countries most respectable institution.

[mmkextreme_1]

Originally Posted by kashif77 Glad to see that our media is going after him. Our fiercely independent press has to be our countries most respectable institution.

What made me think that you would be the first person to reply to this thread lol!

But yes I agree, this media power needs to be utilised and used more often! Lets see what happens!

[W63L35]

I raised this question right after Aus tour was canceled!

[Inswinger]

The PCB paid a heavy premium on the policy, details of which have not been released as yet

I wonder if DNA "forgot" to pay the premium.........