Wednesday, August 13, 2008

One month and counting

Just a month to go till the Champions Trophy, and things aren't looking good for Pakistan. One of the three venues - Rawalpindi - has been scratched for security reasons (but credit to PCB for rewriting the schedule to accommodate the two venues).

Sporadic violence continues in Pakistan. And, players are still expressing apprehension about touring, and no cricket board has taken a step in any direction that would shed some light.

Now Pakistan's coach, Geoff Lawson, has been sent to meet cricket boards in order to convince them to send full strength teams to Pakistan. That means the Pakistan team will be minus its coach as it prepares for the tournament (I wonder if that makes any difference!).

And to top it all off, the legislative assemblies in Pakistan have launched an impeachment movement against President Musharraf. This may or may not have lots of implications, depending on how things go. Whatever the case, the timing could not have been worse, unless he resigns soon in which case things will calm down.

So, let's see what happens. This should be an interesting month!

Make your pitch on this post...



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9 Pitched:

  1. SledgeHammer said...
     

    Not a good sign for Pakistan:

    "David Richardson, the ICC's general manager of cricket, who is leading the ICC delegation, said if the four nations - England and South Africa also have safety fears - remained reluctant to visit Pakistan, it was not too late to move the Champions Trophy to Sri Lanka. "We're very short of time now," Richardson said. "If we're going to relocate now it needs to be made within the next few days. Operationally it would be difficult, but it's certainly not an option that would be discarded at this point and it could be relocated." "

    http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/iccct2008/content/current/story/365088.html

  2. Anonymous said...
     

    Very unfortunate for Pakistani players and fans. It seems the tournament is sure to be played in Sri Lanka despite Dave Richardson's round the globe trip.

  3. SledgeHammer said...
     

    I think Pakistan should say out of the tournament if it is moved. And I'd like to see ICC punish Pakistan. If they can't punish any of these other teams for not touring Pakistan, then Pakistan deserves the same treatment.

    I totally understand why teams would be apprehensive of touring Pakistan. But if ICC has cleared it, the teams should face sanctions for not taking part.

  4. SledgeHammer said...
     

    Nasim Ashraf resigns (thank goodness!!!) as PCB chairman shortly after Musharraf's resignation.

    http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/365381.html

    I wonder if it will have any effect on the hosting of the Champions Trophy.

  5. Anonymous said...
     

    I doubt if this will still be played in Pakistan. Looking at the current political scenario, even PCB Chief quits for no reason, I've my own doubts.

  6. SledgeHammer said...
     

    The PCB chief quit because he was a Musharraf appointee. So with Musharraf gone, his term is effectively up. If he were somewhat popular, he might have even stayed. But without Musharraf and without any love in the PCB or with the players/fans, it was time for him to go.

  7. Anonymous said...
     

    Q,

    Once again I apologise for this.

    And I wonder if the shadowy hand of Reg Dickinson may yet play a hand if it gets rescheduled to Sri Lanka...

  8. SledgeHammer said...
     

    Another blast in Pakistan. Really sad stuff...what has the world come to:

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7574267.stm

    From a Champions Trophy perspective, this is not looking good at all. I would not want to tour Pakistan myself if I were a player.

    Sri Lanka should start rolling its pitches. The cricketing world is headed their way.

  9. SledgeHammer said...
     

    South Africa pulls out:

    http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/iccct2008/content/current/story/365862.html

    SA want the tournament rescheduled. For obvious reasons. Because they know Pakistan and India might pull out of the tournament if the venue is changed. And you can't punish Pak and India if you don't punish the likes of Aus, SA, Eng, NZ. So, rescheduling is a better option that way - it takes the heat off the teams.

    We have an interesting week ahead.

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