Whither Pakistan Cricket?

When one cannot accept reality, one must be prepared to face the consequences. The rule is as simple as it sounds.

Sri Lanka, whose cricketing ties with its neighbour India are on sour terms at the moment because of the ego clashes of the heads of the boards, took it upon themselves to visit Pakistan when India refused to cross the border for a tour of Pakistan.

The latest terror attack on cricketers and innocent people in Lahore is deplorable and not something for cricket officials to accept with lip service. Politicians and security officials are paid to play terror or no terror. Which is why it’s unfortunate that the Sri Lankan squad had to flee Pakistan abandoning the whole series.

Now Bangladesh, another country in dire need of sponsorship and coverage proceeds, has been forced to reconsider its hosting of ODI tour of Pakistan after Lahore attacks. The tour has been postponed for security reasons.

Where do all these twists and turns lead to? For one thing, the International Cricket Council (ICC) did not find the need to summon an emergency meeting despite the shameful happening in Pakistan. There was an absolute lapse in security measures to counter possible terrorist attacks despite Pakistan being plagued of late by extremism and violence.

We should avoid using the terms the West and the East when it comes to sports. There are two halves of the 10-nation world cricket fraternity. On the one side you have nine nations, all with little or practically nothing in their coffers and India which has surpluses and the industrial base that can run the game on its own for the next generation.

The next cricket world cup in the subcontinent will certainly be affected by the shooting on the Lankan national team near Gaddafi Stadium. England, till recently artificially buoyant by an absconding American millionaire’s promises of backup, may persuade its long time supporters, Australia and New Zealand to hold the cup instead. It will all depend on the financial aspects of whether Down Under can guarantee the huge amounts needed for a world show. The only other country anywhere near with a reasonable amount of organising power is South Africa but the costs and strain of holding the 2010 World Cup (soccer) might go against them?