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When I heard about the attack on television, it was shocking and the first thing that went through my mind was, God please don’t let any player or official be harmed.
We are fortunate that no player was seriously injured neither were the ICC match officials or else it would have been catastrophic for Pakistan and its cricket.
My mind initially refused to accept cricketers could be directly targeted because in the last few years playing in Pakistan has always been linked with security issues.
But I guess times have changed for the worse and I feel sorry for the Sri Lankans that they came here when no team was willing to tour Pakistan and this is how we treated them.
I spoke to a few on telephone and wished them well but the way they responded and behaved after the attack is exemplary, insisting it was not Pakistan's fault nor did they have any complaints with the people.
They behaved like true ambassadors. A little bit of panic on the part of the Sri Lnakan players or their government could have caused so much more damage to cricket in Pakistan.
Unfortunately, now having read about what Match Referee Chris Broad and umpire Simon Taufel had to say about the attack on returning home, it looks like Pakistan cricket is in for really hard times.
I am no expert to say if a security lapse took place or not. But yes, the fact that the attack was carried out at Liberty roundabout and so close to the stadium stunned me and it also confirmed just how much more vigilant we have to be now against such attacks.
Cricket will never be the same again and the ICC and its member Boards will now have to deal with security issues on the same level as kept for politicians, diplomats and world state heads and most importantly keep in mind that this sort of attack can take place anywhere in the world. It could be Australia, it could be England, India or South Africa.
Just thinking that Pakistan is the most vulnerable as far as security is concerned would be the most foolish thing anyone can do and definitely harm the sport.
I just hope and pray we don't see a new trend of sportsmen and women being targeted by terrorists in other countries as well.
For Pakistan cricket, the incident is a big blow and while I don't want to blame anyone but we as a nation need to stand together. If some mistake has been made we need to accept it and ensure it does not happen again.
Pakistan Board would be well advised also to keep on arranging more under-19 and ‘Pakistan A’ team tours abroad and also try to arrange similar series at home. Because if the ice is to be broken we must get countries to send their second string sides to Pakistan and test our security plan.
It is going to take a long time for other countries to have the confidence to send their teams to Pakistan but it would be a tragedy if only Pakistan was isolated as a international venue because of security issues.
I have no doubt that if security measures are beefed up international cricket can still continue in Pakistan and for this we need the help of our neighbouring countries like India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
I have been a bit disappointed by India's reaction to the incident but remember it is humanity that is under threat from these terrorists not just Pakistan.
I have not met a single Pakistani who does not condemn the attack on the Sri Lankans. Who does not want peace, who does not want a normal life? In these critical times cricket can only move forward if countries support each other and players show some courage.
Instead of criticising us, India must back us and help our cricket survive because they are the superpowers of world cricket now and have the clout to convince any team to play anywhere they want. We saw that when England agreed to return to India after the unfortunate Mumbai attacks.
(Article syndicated by the Press Trust of India)
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Pakistan is a failed state with a corrupt and small minded President more intent on extracting bribes than in making his country better. Mr. Miandad who wants an apology from Broad is a "sambhandhi" to Don Ibrahim Dawood, a criminal and a gangster with blood on his hands. Dictator Musharaff is a egotitical maniac who destroyed Pakistan's democracy and through Kargil created enimity with India. The only hope for the world is if Pakistan splinters into four weak states: Punjab, Sindh, Balochitan and NWFP. India should merge Azad Kashmir with Kashmir as an Indian state,
No terrorist group in this world is strong enough to survive the army attack.If pakistan wants to eradicate world terrorism then can do it in 2 days and this fact even pakistan army also knows. But the problem here is that Pakistan army itself is supporting world terrorism. There army staffs are involved in training terrorist and several blasts. Pakistan is the center of world terrorism and unfortunatly in pakistan government is merealy a puppet, this fact is known to whole world. This problem cannot be solved unless and untill tough decisions are not taken.
It could have happened anywhere but it happened in Pakistan. If Pakistan had the will to provide security it would have found the way. It is Pakistan which failed, how can it be said that Pakistan is not to blame. Inzy seems to have hate for the sin, not for the sinners. With such tolerance, why only cricket, nothing is safe in pakistan, not even Inzy who could be the sitting duck one of these days.
Ifyou trust pakistan you will get PRESIDENTIAL STYLE SECURITY with SRILANKAN EXPERIENCE. Hi inzy you cannot be serious.
So that is wha Inzy has to say: India is responsible for backing them up, while Pak continues to feed, nurture and grow terrorists who attack India. The man does not have the moral courage to admit that his is a failed state that existed only with the sole obsession of India, and nothing else. A country that never found a raison d'etre; a country that continues to be governed by a few families. Indeed, we all enjoy and love to host the Pak cricket or any other team- but looking at the video, can they say the same? Do the Pakistanis have it in them as citizens of their own country to tell the Taliaban "To hell with you!" Obviously they do not, and in fact many of them do support it. In such a scenario, how can this foolish man point fingers at India? Inzy is very typical of the educated, upper middle/ rich Pakistani- he knows what the problem is (his country and the basis for the country) but refuses to acknowledge it, and blames everyone else for it.
Dear Inzamam, I can understand your agony as a Pakistani celebrated cricketer but what is needed is changes in your political system and sanity in attitude of Pakistani establishment. Your leaders have a fanatic appproach towards India or else how do you justify your interior minister's statement pointing a fingure of suspicion at India without understanding the incidence and having any proof? Only people of Pakistan can rise above the dubious and revengeful attitude against pakistan and change your leaders or power broakers in the Pakistani establishment.
I do not know why Inzy is criticising the Indian response . The Indian govt merely responded to Pak ministeres blaming India for the incident by asking them to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure. inzy should also not forget that one of India's most wanted criminals is treated as a guest of Pak govt and his child was married to Javed Miandad's child with full pomp and attendance by the Pak elite. I do not know if Inzy attended the function. Inzy criticises the Indian govt and the comments by the match officials but he dares not criticise either the terrorists or the Pak govt ! That the terrorists were allowed to get away with the police not making any effort to catch them is what worries everybody. When Inzy comments on possibility of such incidents in other countries, I wonder if he is making a veiled threat.
You should have a board which should be names pakistan terrosism board. All you terrorist who believes in entering heaven at the expense of killing innocents should be made members. You should have a points system to rate the best performing group and in the end there should be a yearly award for the best terror outfit. Sorry folks you aint going any where. I am sure there must be some right thinking modern people in pakistan whole loves freedom. Unfortunately they are surrounded by fundamentalist thugs, I hope still god can save them - Only if a miracle happens that is for sure other wise it is not even a failed nation.