Zimbabwe decision to quit Pakistan cricket tour put on hold
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KARACHI: Zimbabwe pulled out of this month's historic cricket tour to Pakistan and then retracted their decision within 16 minutes in a bizarre turnaround on Thursday.
Zimbabwe Cricket initially released a statement saying that a decision had been reached not to tour on the advice of the country's supreme sports regulatory authority, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC).
The SRC had previously cited concerns over the safety of the touring party.
But after the news release was issued, the statement was withdrawn and Zimbabwe Cricket spokesman Lovemore Banda told Reuters that discussions were still on-going.
“At this time the tour has not been suspended. The executive and board of Zimbabwe Cricket are still in discussions,” he said.
Banda would not put a time frame on when a decision would be made, saying only that it would be announced “as soon as the discussions are finalised”.
A statement issued by Zimbabwe Cricket earlier today had said: “The decision not to tour at this time has been taken after considering the advice from the country's supreme sports regulatory authority, the Sports and Recreational Commission.”
Read: Zimbabwe assesses Pakistan tour safety report
Before any official statements were released by Zimbabwe Cricket, reports had emerged that Zimbabwe's authorities were assessing the security situation in Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Karachi killed 45 people on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe, if it tours Pakistan, will be the first ICC full member team to do so since March 2009, when the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in Lahore. Since then only non-Test-playing Kenya and Associate Afghanistan have toured Pakistan.
Pakistan and Zimbabwe last faced off in Zimbabwe two years ago with coach Dav Whatmore at the helm.
Final decision to be made tomorrow
After today's events, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan told media personnel that Zimbabwe had not called off the tour and that a final decision in this regard will be conveyed to the PCB on Friday (tomorrow).
The PCB chief said he was still hopeful the tour would go ahead as planned, adding that Pakistan had reassured Zimbabwe of complete security during the tour.
Pakistan's chief selector Haroon Rasheed, while talking to media personnel in Faisalabad, said efforts were being made to persuade Zimbabwe authorities to go ahead with the scheduled tour.
Read: For Pakistan, it's not just about cricket against Zimbabwe
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (118) Closed
May 14, 2015 07:50pm
attackers.... your Mission accomiplished , congratualtions :(
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May 14, 2015 07:51pm
This killing of 43 Ishamailis in the bus, has scared the Zimbabweans.
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May 14, 2015 07:55pm
job done through karachi massacre
well done
same planners as the ones that attack Sri Lanken team
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May 14, 2015 07:57pm
Unfortunate decision
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May 14, 2015 07:59pm
So sad . Karachi needs martial law. This PPP Govt. is corrupt and don't have will to proceed against the killers.
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May 14, 2015 08:00pm
Is it suppose to be surprising or shocking?
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May 14, 2015 08:01pm
good decision as pakistani leadership should know that they need to do more.people outside pakistan thinks that pakistan is very dangerous country to visit.
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May 14, 2015 08:02pm
Nooo :'( we were planning to go!
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May 14, 2015 08:02pm
Courage from ZIM would have been preferable. A tour under the circumstances would have shown solidarity with the victims more so than cancelling it.
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May 14, 2015 08:04pm
One they were ok and next day they abondoned.
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May 14, 2015 08:05pm
Let us put our house in order first. We can not guarantee the safety of Pakistanis and we are worried about the cancellation of Zimbabwe cricket team trip. I have no idea who comes up with these ideas (perhaps those who have no idea what the security situation in Pakistan is because they have bullet proof cars!!) as I was never convinced (even before the massacre yesterday) that they would visit. I believe no one should visit Pakistan until we make sure the country is safe. I am not sad about the cancellation of this visit by Zimbabwe team as I am still mourning the loss of lives yesterday.
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May 14, 2015 08:06pm
Not even surprised!
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May 14, 2015 08:08pm
Sad, but understandable.
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May 14, 2015 08:08pm
Smart. Not sure how much they were offered to begin with! Apparently not enough!!!
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May 14, 2015 08:09pm
Being a Pakistani, I think Zimbabwe made the right decision. We should not risk international cricketers unless we can bring peace to society.
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May 14, 2015 08:10pm
This was much expected After Karachi attack and It is failure of Pakistani govt as they were not able to
Pursue Zimbabwe.
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May 14, 2015 08:11pm
Brother China should be approached to strengthen security concerns!!!
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May 14, 2015 08:11pm
Some will call the massacre a big conspiracy; looks true to some extent but we must not come to a final conclusion till full investigations are done.
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May 14, 2015 08:12pm
This last minute change of mind is very disappointing. My heart goes out to all Pakistani cricket lovers. Don't lose heart guys. Let us hope IND-PAK series scheduled for Dec will materialize.
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May 14, 2015 08:13pm
:(
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May 14, 2015 08:14pm
@Sunil Thanks, Sherlock
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May 14, 2015 08:14pm
One can't even blame them.
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May 14, 2015 08:15pm
Wise decision rather than being sorry.
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May 14, 2015 08:16pm
They did the right thing. We should not have any international sporting events till the security situation improves.
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May 14, 2015 08:20pm
@Sunil Thank you. We didn't know.
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May 14, 2015 08:20pm
Mere words cannot provide security. Neither will the old strategy or blaming the RAW. The country needs either to be de-weaponized or fully weaponized.
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May 14, 2015 08:24pm
Its about time we go after the monsters who order these senseless and barbaric acts.
Why are we hanging pawns. They are just puppets, why are we afraid of going after the real culprits. I am certain there is enough intelligence from captured criminals.
Enough compromise enough loss of life this is the time to realize we are being isolated even by countries whom we used to give economic aid.
There is still hope, people are power we must rise we must question.
LONG LIVE PAKISTAN.
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May 14, 2015 08:24pm
One word! "Tragedy" !
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May 14, 2015 08:25pm
Right decision but it is shameful moment.
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May 14, 2015 08:27pm
Sad :( .....
I was so looking forward to it....but what can you say after 43 (now 45) deaths in a major city in daylight with no clue about the attackers.....
Also the people who were categorizing this tour as "Tour to Punjab" or "Tour of Lahore" should be happy.....what has happened to our patriotism and unity?..Why are we so divided?....where are we going?
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May 14, 2015 08:29pm
Current state of affairs saddens me a lot. Cricket is something which brings happiness on the faces of these terror-stricken people. But it is so unfortunate that cricket stadiums were abandoned after Lahore attack on Lankan cricket team. Now that there was a ray of hope, and it seemed that after tour of Zimbabvean cricket team cricket will return to Pakistan but all these hopes vanished after Bus attack in Karachi.
What is more saddening to me is that, once again, the perpetrator of the attack fled the scene like almost every other incident of this nature. In developed countries they have quick response teams that have aerial support and they bring down the criminals in no time. Although, we do not have resources but still this cancer of terrorism is the direct threat to the very existence of the state, and we will have to make it a priority. State should utilize all its resources, be it army or police or any other law enforcement agency, to bring down these criminals..
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May 14, 2015 08:32pm
For smaller teams anx poorer countries its a good business prospect to earn money from India.. Give hype to a propsed tour .. take big money from India and abandon Pakistan's tour. soon we would see West Indies, Bangla Desh, Kenya doing the same.
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May 14, 2015 08:33pm
I have a distinct feeling that there is a hidden hand somewhere. The Karachi attack and the way it was carried out, couldn't have come at a more opportune time for someone to cause just this.
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May 14, 2015 08:43pm
Paksitan should rise to the challenge and respond to both internal and external factors with clarity and deciveness. In case of external factors, just treat it with determination even if its our neighbors.
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May 14, 2015 08:47pm
Pakistan's international image besmirched yet again.
Even if this tour were to continue,it would be under
duress and increased pressure on the PAKISTANI
authorities to provide Presidential-like VVIP SECURITY
to the foreign players.
Can that be assured ?
God forbid,if anything undue did occur,Pakistan would
not recover for the next 10 years in terms of reputation.
Surely,it would be in Pakistan's own long term interest
to cancel this tour and bear some loss until the security
situation has really been improved throughout the nation
and foreign countries are not having to debate whether
or not to send a team....makes Pakistan look like an
ungoverned banana republic.
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May 14, 2015 08:48pm
As an Indian, I do understand your disappointment. But perhaps you have been saved from another embarassment like 2009. When the government cannot protect its own citižens, how can it guarantee safety of others?
I hope safety returns to Pakistan soon. The ordinary Pakistanis deserve that. Cricket will follow.
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May 14, 2015 08:50pm
Now our govt will once again issue a statement regarding RAW involvement. Why does the govt always fails on security grounds and to hide the failure, simply blame on RAW. These are same old tactics by our govt for decades. Common Pakistan wake up now at least please
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May 14, 2015 08:53pm
Reality bites !!!
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May 14, 2015 08:59pm
What an Embarrassment !!!!!
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May 14, 2015 09:09pm
Who's the beneficiary of this tour cancellation? and all what is happening in Pakistan these days?? Just a question!
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May 14, 2015 09:22pm
Why can't Pakistan go to Zimbabwe?
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May 14, 2015 09:26pm
Looking at current situation is Pakistan it is only wise thing to cancel the series. God forbid, if these terrorists create havoc during the series, then it will cause enormous damage to the Pakistani claim of it being a safe country for touring sides. Sad but true.
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May 14, 2015 09:27pm
We have world's top intelligence agencies and our security worst in the world. We have to look deep on what has happened in history.
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May 14, 2015 09:28pm
@PakPower
So whose "hidden hand" are you talking of? RAW's? Spill it out dude...(conspiracy theories are usually very entertaining)
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May 14, 2015 09:36pm
to be honest, Pakistan has other priorities than cricket. Start cricket and people will forget all the issue. This is what big brother wants.
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May 14, 2015 09:38pm
Tour will help revitalize the hope and determination of common people to stand and not subdue to the terrorists and their threats.
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May 14, 2015 09:39pm
We need to sue USA and UK they destroyed our country they one made Pakistan take there side to fight against terrorism and afghan
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May 14, 2015 09:40pm
Sporting and cultural events are for societies that have evolved and are civilised. The veneer of democracy can not hide the fact that Pakistan is a rotting body - with parasitic elites gorging themselves into stupor on what little life that remains.
The sooner we forget about the little niceties of civilization the better it will be for our sanity.
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May 14, 2015 09:45pm
After every crime the first suspect is the biggest beneficiary of that crime, Who was the biggest beneficiary of 2009 attack? who will be the biggest beneficiary if international cricket do not return to Pakistan? who will be the biggest beneficiary if Pakistan is declared a failed state?
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May 14, 2015 09:52pm
Really ashame definitely out side hand is involved if cricket start who will be looser? Naturally Dubai
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May 14, 2015 09:52pm
@PakPower "I have a distinct feeling that there is a hidden hand somewhere. The Karachi attack and the way it was carried out, couldn't have come at a more opportune time for someone to cause just this."
Is this the first time that Jundullah has attacked Shias in a bus? No. It has happened several times in Balochistan, GB and Parachinar. Stop with the conspiracy theories and mourn the horrendous loss of lives for itself and not just because of its impact on cricket.
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May 14, 2015 09:53pm
i thought politicians play politics , but terrorists too! it's not only gun that can root out terrorism but social awakening is required from all grounds
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May 14, 2015 09:56pm
Hand over Karachi to the rangers.
Give them a free hand for 5 years.
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May 14, 2015 10:01pm
There are more serious issues to confront than Cricket.
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May 14, 2015 10:02pm
I think it will be postponed for like 2 months or so...
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May 14, 2015 10:03pm
feel sad for the deceased .
people should be more concerned about bringing the culprits to Justice
than a cricket tour
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May 14, 2015 10:04pm
The fact that a buss full of people was made target links the motives to the Zimbabwe tour. It was no doubt a planned event to disrupt the tour.
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May 14, 2015 10:05pm
Please don't come at this time. It is still not safe in Pakistan. Maybe another time. Thanks.
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May 14, 2015 10:06pm
Zim players deserve security and safety. If someone wants to go ahead and push the tour forward at all costs, they first need to think of that. Period.
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May 14, 2015 10:08pm
Improve the law and order in your home then improve the structure of ur cricket management and then improve your team that is even struggling to win against Bangladesh ... and then invite Zimbabwe .. Ivory Coast or Somalia to come and play cricket on Pakistani soil. Please get ur priorities safe
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May 14, 2015 10:11pm
After yesterday's sad event, if Zimbabwe cancel this tour, than it is a clear indication that nobody will visit Pakistan for any kind of sports, specially for CRICKET. It will be THE END of cricket in Pakistan.
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May 14, 2015 10:19pm
@SS I was official photographer over there :(
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May 14, 2015 10:23pm
To refrain of interfering in other countries internal affair is the cordial principle of Indian foreign policy but its just theory. As Indians are giving their comments here same is their country!
Celebrate this victory Indians.
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May 14, 2015 10:23pm
Very bad for Pakistan cricket. Pakistan Security Forces should crack down on these headless fanatics with severe force. They should not be allowed to take the country hostage. Secondly they should provide security personnel with every buses trains commuting in the whole of Pakistan.
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May 14, 2015 10:33pm
@Zunaib M Yousuf , It's not surprising it's not shocking, it was expected. Those who have a plan to isolate Pakistan, their plan worked out. They are the one who attacked SL team in Lahore, they are the one who planned attacked whenever a foreign team plan to tour Pakistan. Again planners succeed. We know who they are, "RAW."
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May 14, 2015 10:36pm
Like the indian series, this has a direct correlation with broadcasting economics.
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May 14, 2015 10:39pm
Good decision
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May 14, 2015 10:42pm
So what do they wish to achieve. A country and people completely isolated and cut of from the comity of nations. Is this is what they want. How will the people survive. How will a country under their rules and regulations survive? Who will the transact or deal with. I know people in Pakistan have many challenges. I feel the time has come to face these men of evil head on and root out the evil root and branch without mercy. If we don't then they will destroy us. Everyone has to take a stand - I know it may be easy to say but I'll be happy to shop to authorities anyone and everyone - friend or family - who belongs to or sympathise with these evil doers. Gloves have to come off.
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May 14, 2015 10:52pm
Only one man in Pakistan is capable of persuading the Zimbabwean cricket team to tour Pakistan and that is General Raheel Sharif like the way he persuaded and forced the Chinese president to visit and invest billions in Pakistan.
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May 14, 2015 10:57pm
Right decision made by Zimbabwe cricket team. How our Govt. can protect other peoples if it cant protect its own citizens???
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May 14, 2015 11:01pm
We need a "Cricket Corridor" where foreign cricketers can come through play cricket and return safely. It should begin at Karachi airport and connect all the cricketing grounds and hotels and over the cricket ground there should be a transparent safety dome.
Any investors interested - China? ICC? .....
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May 14, 2015 11:02pm
Hopefully the tour will go ahead as planned. Pakistani fans have been waiting a long time to watch the team play at home.
Ali Khan
Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
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May 14, 2015 11:05pm
It would have been good but i dont think cricket or any game for that matter is important for Pakistan at the moment. Time is to build the country and games are of secondary nature.
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May 14, 2015 11:10pm
@Raaz, LOL
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May 14, 2015 11:13pm
RAW is continuously destaising Pakistan since long time now. PAKISTAN should revisit its attitude with India. India doesn't realise that it's playing with fire. If there remains no stable Pakistan, I am sure India would not see the stability either. It's time for tit for tat response now. We need to bring our House in order. We must spend more on education and development budget. We must invest more on our intelligence gadgets and methods.
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May 14, 2015 11:17pm
its better to inpose martial law in karachi and want to do great operation as did in waziristan, then peace will come...
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May 14, 2015 11:27pm
@JULIANA FITZWATER You are welcome.
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May 14, 2015 11:35pm
its a very brutal event please these heinous should b stopped we cant bear such mishaps any more
why only our beloved country Pakistan has to observe a day mourning after some days routinely why ?????please its my question to concerned authority with rendering heart
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May 14, 2015 11:39pm
@Sam bro my suggest is impose martial law and then siege the whole krachi. Then army ask communities sincere or like a senior citizen bcz otherwise some people can blame anything and search the wjole krachi each and every house and verify each and every person.its may take two to three days but everything will be clear . they can do step by step
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May 14, 2015 11:46pm
Opportunity lost!!! I am sure Zim would have lost under all the pressure!!!
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May 14, 2015 11:50pm
@Irfan Baloch
Did you know who planned that?
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May 15, 2015 12:23am
Sharyar Sahib who is going to come to Pakistan to play when there is killing going on every day. You are a seasoned bureaucrat and know better. Before anything else we need honest and competent people to manage the country and reforms in each and every area of the society. Forget cricket and concentrate on the real issues the country needs to sort out first.
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May 15, 2015 12:43am
@Calcutta Man
Find the beneficiary of this attack and you will find the hidden hand, it is certainly not Pakistan.
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May 15, 2015 12:44am
May be there is something good for both sides.
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May 15, 2015 12:45am
I think zimbabwe is negotiating payment.
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May 15, 2015 12:47am
@Nadeem, USA and than??
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May 15, 2015 12:50am
@Abbas Khan
If India believed that Pakistan was
seriously capable of destablising
ALL of India,Pakistan's own long
term existence as a viable country
would also be under grave threat.
Remember what happened to East Pakistan ?
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May 15, 2015 12:52am
We need to be realistic and realize what can happen if we invite a team and it is attacked by these nut cases. It will be the end of any cricket team visiting to Pakistan, period. We should be patient and let the situation come under control before inviting other teams. ZIM may come to visit because they need money but other teams will still not come.
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May 15, 2015 12:58am
Pakistan needs to improve its Law and Order situation, and then maintained that peaceful environment for a decent amount of time before inviting any guest. You can’t have cart before the horse.
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May 15, 2015 01:04am
We just too many enemies, outside and within. Hope we eliminate this problem and materialize our true potential
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May 15, 2015 01:30am
Good decision. Safety first, do not take any risk.
These terrorists would consider Zimbabwe team a very attractive target.
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May 15, 2015 01:40am
@Khalid - well said...
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May 15, 2015 01:52am
Logical. When you cannot protect your own citizens, how can you protect us. Thanks but no thanks.
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May 15, 2015 01:52am
Zimbabwe should continue with the tour; Pakistanis are among the best HOSTS in the world; just quitting like this only helps the terror outfits who kill at Random.
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May 15, 2015 01:58am
@Manish Desai
Feel free to be an attendee of those matches and show your bravado. No one is stopping you.
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May 15, 2015 02:54am
I think its good for us if they cancel the tour for now. Imagine if something happens to zim team while they are touring pak....no country will come to pakistan to play for next 100 years.
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May 15, 2015 02:57am
First get your house in order. If any thing even a little thing happens then say good bye to cricket.
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May 15, 2015 03:50am
Put things in perspective......not the end of the world.....tough but what are you going to do.....peace
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May 15, 2015 03:51am
@JULIANA FITZWATER elementary Watson
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May 15, 2015 04:29am
I had immediately said that thee will be another attack as soon as the tour was announced.
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May 15, 2015 04:44am
There can be nothing normal in Pakistan until it completely defeats terrorism & the politics of religion, once for all.
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May 15, 2015 05:07am
@Jimmy_USA : Its people like you, I think.
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May 15, 2015 05:15am
@kalim : Come out of your prejudice mindset.
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May 15, 2015 05:18am
@Salman :Are you afraid to tell, speak out man, be brave.
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May 15, 2015 06:10am
The last thing required in Pakistan right now is cricket.....I always knew this tour was never on....This is just reconfirmation ......
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May 15, 2015 07:24am
Another sad day for the cricket in Pakistan. If there is no peace then no body will visit Pakistan
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May 15, 2015 07:44am
somebody's interest to promote UAE venue ? . only Pakistan is using this venue.
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May 15, 2015 08:22am
@ragu Wow! it is one thing for you to take a personal decision and visit Pakistan riasking your personal safety, but it is entirely an another thing to say that Zimbabwe should visit to show solidarity. Let us see how many Pakistanis protest in the streets of Lahore against this incident.
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May 15, 2015 08:24am
@Abbas Khan Good to see that there is not a single LIKE to your post.
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May 15, 2015 09:31am
@Azmat Bashir
do not hide behind words. please name the culprit immediately if you know him/her.
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May 15, 2015 01:34pm
Why the Sri lankan attackers were not punished is the first question that comes to the mind. it may be difficult to control some crime but to apprehend and punish the perpetrator is what counts more. Confidence built-up is essential.
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May 15, 2015 02:05pm
@Ahsan contradiction bro both cannot be true
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May 15, 2015 02:19pm
I was reading Zimbabwe newspaper (Herald) today, and it says the tour would go ahead as scheduled.
http://www.herald.co.zw/chevrons-pakistan-tour-on/
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May 15, 2015 02:25pm
swift arm@ its reality
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May 15, 2015 02:31pm
Very unfortunate if the Zimbabwe tour is called off. Maybe Pakistan should start with only limited venues (one or two) where safety can be ensured completely. Otherwise the process of normalisation will never start.
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May 15, 2015 04:02pm
@khalid totally agree. This about face was not at all surprising. RIP victims. Need to bring attackers to justice. Cricket can wait.
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May 15, 2015 04:03pm
Sri Lankan team attacked....players injured...... they leave immediately after receiving basic medication and a bruised mindset ..... no conviction till date..... why would any one visit.......
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May 15, 2015 11:47pm
@Shahbaz Akhtar Cheema. Sorry to hear that friend. Hopefully Time will heal everything. from a friend across the border
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