Karachi attack: Former intl cricketers refuse to play Ramazan matches

[shuntmaster]

Karachi attack: Former intl cricketers refuse to play Ramazan matches

By Dawn.com
Published about 15 hours ago

Karachi airport engulfed in flames after the attack. — White Star
KARACHI: Following the terrorist attack at the Jinnah International Airport, former cricketers have refused to come to Karachi to play the Ramazan Cricket Tournament, DawnNews reported.

The attack on the airport has affected ongoing and upcoming sporting activities.

Talks have been underway to bring in a number of international players to Pakistan for the tournament, most of whom have reportedly excused themselves from participating after the attack on Jinnah International Airport.

Those who have refused to take part include former South African opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs and New Zealand’s former strike bowler Jacob Oram.

The news has come as a serious blow to the efforts being put in to bring back cricket in Pakistan.

Pakistan has not hosted any international matches since the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and other organisations are active in managing events where former international cricketers can be invited to the country to send a message across the world that Pakistan was a safe place for sporting activities.

The recent attack on the airport could roll back the entire process to bring cricket back in Pakistan.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

whose brilliant idea was it to hold a cricket tournament during Ramzan anyways??

 

[OrionHunter]

So these great men who some call the Gods of cricket have chickened out just because of a one-off attack by some yahoos? These so called stars are really straw men!

 

[saikumar]

sad news

 

[SBD-3]

whose brilliant idea was it to hold a cricket tournament during Ramzan anyways??

Ramzan Cricket tournament is a regular tournament in Karachi for decades now....

 

[acetophenol]

This is how the terrorists really win.

 

[janon]

So these great men who some call the Gods of cricket have chickened out just because of a one-off attack by some yahoos? These so called stars are really straw men!

They are sportsmen, not soldiers. They have every right to be scared of terrorists.

 

[Indischer]

So these great men who some call the Gods of cricket have chickened out just because of a one-off attack by some yahoos? These so called stars are really straw men!

Can't agree with you on this. Cricketers are good at clobbering cricket balls or lobbing them at pace or spin, not dodging bullets and grenades. Besides, when the international airport itself isn't safe, they have good reason to chicken out.