Recently, it was decided by the
International Cricket Council (ICC) – the international governing body of cricket worldwide,
that Pakistan would not co-host any of the 14 matches allotted to it during the 2011 Cricket World Cup (CWC) which is to be played in the sub-continent.
Pakistan is a full member of the ICC. Its umpires, administrators and players are some of the best respected and well-known individuals of the cricket world. As a cricketing nation, it has played a major role in the sport at all levels - however, over the past 4 years certain events have taken place which seems to have tarnished this image.
Allegations & bans are part and parcel of
international sport and Pakistan, like any other cricketing nation has also had its ups and downs, but the turning point towards the issue under discussion perhaps all began in the final test match between England and Pakistan at the Oval in London in 2006, upon a suspicion of ball tampering, and then cheating, the on-field umpire, awarded 5 bonus runs to the England team.
Arguments in Favour of ICC’s Decision 1. Pakistan Cricket and its players have not been good ambassadors of their country when playing international cricket. Pace bowlers got themselves embroiled in doping scandals, thereby maligning Pakistan’s national image.
2. Everyone oppresses the weak - It is a simple rule. The administrative / governing body of a country’s national Cricket Board must be strong enough to put forward their concerns and grievances if a decision has been (unfairly) taken against them and continue to play, but register a protest by wearing a black ribbon on their uniform. But if a country’s cricket board is too passive / too weak to protest, then this is EXACTLY what’s going to happen. First, an umpire accuses a captain of going against the spirit of the game
and suspects Pakistani players of cheating/ball tampering and the Pakistan Captain, coach & PCB admin body turned the other cheek. Next, Pakistan was prevented from hosting the ICC Champions Trophy. Then also the PCB did not protest. Now the CWC hosting opportunity is being taken away and the PCB keeps shut. The PCB MUST speak out, as they have done on May 09, 2009. As an American writer EW Wilcox once said ‘To sin by silence when we should protest, makes cowards out of men.’
3. Those who may say that all this is unfair only to sideline Pakistan, but, shouldn’t we ask ourselves ‘Have we ever tried to make things better?’, or ‘Have we ever tried to take out the faults in ourselves?’ One of the main concerns for any kind of international event is to have a welcoming atmosphere, security/law & order of the country well established to ensure safety and above all, peace of mind. In Pakistan, nobody is concerned about that. But, frankly speaking, if efforts are not made to improve situations, then, we may see that, Pakistan may even have to qualify every year for ICC membership.
4. Terrorism threats / militancy being a hindrance to sport in Pakistan. When the ENTIRE cricket world refused to come to Pakistan after and Pakistan was labeled as a terrorist country, only Sri-Lanka protested and sent their team to play in Pakistan in respect for the Spirit of Cricket. But, even then, instead of proving them wrong, the recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 03, 2009 helped to confirm ICC’s doubts.
Arguments against ICC’s Decision
1. If the allegation and reason for removing the CWC 2011 co-hosting privilege is because of security risks, then, why only Pakistan. Are there no security risks and political instability issues in India & Sri Lanka?
2. If the co-hosting privilege of a significant event like CWC 2011 is taken from Pakistan, then it will lower, damage or possibly shatter the morale of Pakistani sportsmen, fans, cricket lovers and the cricket loving Pakistani nation.
3. Indian Board of Cricket Control have played their cards surprisingly well by not only forcing the ICC to keep their traps shut about the illegal and non-authorized ICL & IPL. Further, in order to divert the impending threat of terrorist attacks & violence in India, they v-e-r-y smartly passed it down to be hosted in South Africa. But the ICC turns a blind eye & deaf ear to this, and pinpoints their attention solely on Pakistan. Why?
4. What if Pakistan boycotts the CWC? - There have been suggestions on various talk shows in Pakistan on this issue, and some individuals have even suggested that Pakistan should boycott the 2011 CWC. But, there is a feeling that heads will begin to roll in the cricket world if that does happen. The CWC comes only once in four years, and many fans around the world pin-point their attention to the clash of the 2 Sub-continent arch rivals India & Pakistan. If Pakistan decides to boycott the CWC, then big businesses, bookers, gamblers, general public, sports fans, Cricket boards of hosting countries and most of all, the ICC itself will suffer financial losses of mega proportions. A precedent has already been seen in the West Indies CWC 2007 when both India & Pakistan didn’t go through to the 2nd round. The West Indies CWC suffered serious financial setbacks.