Butt: Pakistan safe enough for cricket

[Che Guevara]

Islamabad – Pakistan's cricket chief insisted Wednesday that his country is safe enough to host international matches, saying the current tour by lowly-ranked Afghanistan sends a positive message to the world.

“We want to send a message to the world that Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and the people of Pakistan would welcome any team coming here,” said Ijaz Butt in a message at the start of Afghan series.

Sri Lanka Tuesday refused to tour Pakistan later this year, saying security was still a problem.

The Sri Lankan team were attacked in Lahore two years ago. The assault left eight people dead and wounded seven visiting players and their assistant coach.

Since then international cricket has been suspended in Pakistan and the March 2009 attacks forced to the International Cricket Council to relocate World Cup 2011 matches out of the troubled country.

Militant unrest, much of it in the form of suicide attacks, has killed nearly 4,400 people in the past four years as the Taliban and militants linked to Al-Qaeda wage a bloody onslaught on Pakistan's US-allied leadership.

Afghanistan, playing the first of three matches against Pakistan's second-tier 'A' team on Wednesday, are the first international team to play in the violence-torn, nuclear-armed country for two years.

They also play in Rawalpindi on May 27 and Faisalabad on May 29.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Afghanistan government and Afghanistan Cricket Board for sending their team. I hope this tour will pave the way for more such visits by foreign teams to Pakistan,” said Butt.

Even before the Sri Lankans were attacked, Pakistan had been a virtual no go zone for international teams after the September 11, 2001 attacks put the country on the frontline of the US-led war on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

In the last three years, Pakistan have been forced to play their home series in England, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

“The visit of Afghanistan cricket team is also a good sign for the game of cricket in Pakistan. Unfortunately, our cricket frenzy nation is being deprived of international cricket at home,” said Butt.

Butt welcomed the Afghan team and praised their international rise.

“The progress they have shown in recent years is commendable. They have turned out to be a fine team and we expect some good cricket in their matches.” – Sapa-AFP

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[Che Guevara]

Look like PCB treating Afghanistan cricket team as goats.

 

[S.M.R]

Look like PCB treating Afghanistan cricket team as goats.

Tum indians ki to pakistan ki har cheez say Jali rehti hai.

He welcomed the team and praised their international rise.

 

[Che Guevara]

Tum indians ki to pakistan ki har cheez say Jali rehti hai.

He welcomed the team and praised their international rise.

Pakistan ka kis cheez say jalta hay?Can you elaborate this part.

Next Pakistan security condition is horrible, you can't save you own navy installation and even today two of your police station is destroyed.How can you provide security to afghan cricket team,just to show the world you are making afghan a goat nothing else...

 

[S.M.R]

Pakistan ka kis cheez say jalta hay?Can you elaborate this part.

Next Pakistan security condition is horrible, you can't save you own navy installation and even today two of your police station is destroyed.How can you provide security to afghan cricket team,just to show the world you are making afghan a goat nothing else...

At least we dont have serving colonel involved in terrorist activities, we dont kill christians (orrissa), we dont kill other minorities (gujrat).

If someone is visiting pakistan, that is real pain for you? Now I can understand who was behind Srilankan Team attacks.

 

[Roybot]

 

[Che Guevara]

At least we dont have serving colonel involved in terrorist activities, we dont kill christians (orrissa), we dont kill other minorities (gujrat).

If someone is visiting pakistan, that is real pain for you? Now I can understand who was behind Srilankan Team attacks.

If I open my mouth you will be no place to hide and I will be ban...so lets not discuss who is terrorist and who is not...

 

[Super Falcon]

Butt is another stupid man sitting in as a chairman why we are verge of fail state becoz 99.9 percent of ou chief are stupuid less educated if someone is educated he is corrupt than thats why we are position like this

 

[Machoman]

Dude this guy must be kidding with me, Which sector and corner of Pakistan is safe at this time? please explain? F@#$%^&g Taliban attacking us day and night and this fat A$$ is saying Pakistan is safe. As a Pakistani I will totally reject any foreign team to come and play in Pakistan. Jahan apnay loog he safe nahi hain hum dusroon ko kyun bolain?

 

[Che Guevara]

Butt should know that any attack on afghan team end all hope of return of cricket in pakistan and even if afghan come and play and safely return to home then also I don't think top team will take the risk to come to pakistan.Not the right time for such a move by Butt..

 

[Abhishek_]

Butt Saab tussi rottiyan khao, cricket shricket chaddo

 

[majesticpankaj]

I think he did the right thing... a person should be hopeful in any kind of adversity...he has no other options....Pakistan should look after the security of visiting team.. we all know the people of pakistan are crazy about cricket.. they should get their fair share... it is upto the GOP to provide fool proof security..