5 Instances Which Prove Pakistan Is Still Unsafe To Host International Cricket

With one ICC trophy each in ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Championship Trophy, Pakistan is definitely one of the most powerful teams in international cricket. However, it is also among the most controversial ones, as it was banned by ICC for hosting international games for almost a decade.

After a terror attack on the Sri Lanka national team in 2009 outside Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, ICC stripped Pakistan from its rights to host international games. Pakistan was also removed as co-host of the ICC ODI World Cup 2011. However, Pakistan has now managed to convince other major cricket-playing nations to visit its soil. In the past few years, teams like Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and West Indies have visited Pakistan for international matches.

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However, Pakistan is yet to host a multi-nation tournament on its soil. Asia Cup 2023 is set to take place in Pakistan this year and it will be the first multi-nation tournament that will take place since 2019 when international cricket returned to Pakistan. Here we take a look at 5 instances which prove Pakistan is still unsafe to host international cricket.

5 Instances Which Prove Pakistan Is Still Unsafe To Host International Cricket

5. New Zealand Abandoned the 2021 Tour Due to Security Threats

In September 2021, the New Zealand team travelled to Pakistan to play three ODIs and 5 T20I games. However, the New Zealand tour of Pakistan 2021 was cancelled after NZ security agencies informed the New Zealand government that there was a possible threat to players.

Acting on the tip, New Zealand Cricket Board cancelled the tour and brought all their players back. Even after talks between the Prime Ministers of both nations, the series could not take place.

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4. Bomb Explosion During Quetta vs Peshawar PSL 2023 Exhibition Match

During an exhibition PSL 2023 match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi, a bomb explosion occurred near the Bugti Stadium in Quetta. The explosion occurred around 4 kilometres away from the stadium. However, the match was halted for some time and players were taken to the dressing room for safety.

After the safety was confirmed, the players returned to the field. Later, a terrorist organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan took the responsibility for the attack and said that it was aimed at security personnel. Although no players were injured during the incident, the event did gain popularity in the media as it occurred at a place which was under tight security due to the match.

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3. Bomb Blast in Karachi During PSL 2023

Last month, a group of terrorists carrying explosives attacked Karachi Police Office in Pakistan. Karachi is one of the venues for PSL 2023 games and the attack occurred after PSL 2023 began in Pakistan. The attack was carried out by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)- a terrorist group in Pakistan.

About 8-10 terrorists carrying suicide vests attack the security building in Karachi and one of them also detonated a bomb. According to reports, each terrorist carried about 8-10 kg of explosives. Police officers engaged in a three-hour battle to bring the situation under control.

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2. Fued Between PCB and Punjab Govt Over Hosting PSL 2023 matches

A recent feud between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Punjab Government came to the fore that attracted the attention of cricket fans. Punjab Government were reluctant to hold PSL 2023 matches in Lahore and Rawalpindi due to financial disagreements. While Punjab Government wanted PCB to share the security cost of PSL 2023 games, PCB believed that it was Punjab Government’s responsibility to bear the security costs.

The tussle became so big that PSL 2023 games in Lahore and Rawalpindi were expected to move to Karachi. However, the issue was later resolved by the intervention of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. However, such disagreements between Government and PCB can pose a big threat to any international tournament.

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1. Fued Between James Faulkner And PCB Over PSL Contract

Last year during PSL 2022, Australian player James Faulkner left the tournament midway due to a payment dispute with PCB. Faulkner was part of the Quetta Gladiators team in the tournament. However, the all-rounder left the tournament midway claiming that PCB did not honour his contract.

Moreover, there was also a verbal fight between a PCB official and Faulkner, during which the latter broke the chandelier of the hotel room with his bat. PCB and Faulkner both blamed each other for breaching the financial contract. Later, PCB also banned Faulkner from taking part in future PSL tournaments. The matter came to the limelight as Faulkner shared about the incident on Twitter.

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