Zimbabwe to tour Pakistan for ODI series

[grant]

The thing is how much does this bus attack really change. These things are always happening in Pakistan yet it was deemed safe to tour a couple of days ago. Not sure why they would suddenly have a reaction to one event in Karachi.

I agree

[SpitfiresKent]

Karachi is literally on the opposite end of the country to Lahore so i'm not too sure how events there make any difference.

One thing that I would be concerned about is the Pakistani security services/Army because you can almost guarantee that parts of them have been infiltrated by terrorists.

I'm desperate for ZIM to have more cricket but is it really worth the risk?

[bayhaus]

Won't happen. PCB don't give a toss about playing Zimbabwe. All they care about is hosting an international match on home soil as some sort of demonstration to the major teams that it's "safe".

That there is the truth. I think Zim should just cancel this tour cos am sure PCB wont want to move to UAE. Besides PAK want to play an insecure Zim team who turning their heads with each sound happening at or outrside the ground, a car exhaust bang and players fall to the ground, and the umpire says just a car continue... naah. Besides, this is already smelling like someone pocketed money to give the security a green light. As much as I would like some cricket this is not what I would like to see. PAK is obviously NOT safe. Based on the amount of security being put in place. I feel for the PAK supporters who desperately need some home games.

[grant]

http://tribune.com.pk/story/886429/zimb ... -concerns/
Last-ditch efforts under way to save Zimbabwe tour

[zimbos_05]

Pakistan know Zim need matches and will refuse anything outside of playing in Pakistan. Zim are political pawns in their selfish gains. Even if the tour did go ahead without any issues, no big nation will contemplate going to Pakistan. You literally have the city in army lockdown. 3,000 guards will be constantly providing security. The emergency procedures in place just highlight the dangers that exist. The big nations would just look at the tour and go, "with all that security, they are obviously scared of something, why bother taking the risk." The difference is that the big teams dont need Pakistan, Pakistan need them.

On the other hand,

Zim needs games. They need to desperately try to get in to the top 8 for the next world cup because of the ICCs dumb rule. To do so, they need games and they need them now. This is why Test matches are not high on the agenda for ZC. It is all about getting them to focus on getting in to the top 8. So Zim have an offer to get two series out of Pakistan. They understand the risk involved in travelling, but if the ICC cant arrange the tours for Zim, then Zim are going to do whatever they can.

[grant]

Tour confirmed
http://tribune.com.pk/story/886881/zimb ... -still-on/
http://www.herald.co.zw/chevrons-pakistan-tour-on/

[Ahson Afzal]

@grant

The PCB chairman says he has received confirmation from ZC president that the tour is on, as ZC have obtained clearance from the government, but there is nothing yet from ZC. Do you have any idea why ?

[grant]

@grant

The PCB chairman says he has received confirmation from ZC president that the tour is on, as ZC have obtained clearance from the government, but there is nothing yet from ZC. Do you have any idea why ?

I'm not sure if the SRC is entirely convinced about the players' safety (maybe they haven't given clearance yet)...........

[Googly]

If there has been a cover up by the security folk or by our Board and the tour goes ahead when it should not have this would be a a brand new low by the "people" in charge of our cricket and ultimately responsible for the safety of our cricketers.
Reading posts by rabid Bangladeshi and Pakistani supporters having a constant go at each other is usually unpleasantly boring, but when they talk about the lack of safety within Pakistan it surely has to be ringing some alarm bells. Do you think the players will heave a sigh of relief when the ZC gives the tour the green light because the players really do know that deep down the 'people' in charge have their interests and safety at heart?
If I were in the players shoes I would insist on an independent security assessment whose result they saw before ZC had a chance to change it.

[SpitfiresKent]

It's on.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-zi ... 77067.html

ESPNcricinfo understands that Zimbabwe's players were made to sign indemnity forms after their country's foreign affairs ministry advised that a visit to Pakistan would not be safe. As a result, the SRC would not give permission for the tour to take place unless the players were going of their own accord, as the forms now state.

Several players were hesitant to make the trip, with a few even considering pulling out, but concerns over the impact that would have on the future of their careers forced them to change their minds. All 16 squad members, which includes six returnees and one new cap, have agreed to travel to Pakistan for the two T20 and three ODI series which begins on May 22.