Younus urges Asian effort to save cricket
Pakistani captain Younus Khan Thursday urged India and other Asian
cricket giants to pull together to allay security fears in the region
and save the game on the sub-continent.
"Cricket hit by security fears is no longer Pakistan's problem
alone... I think Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to
unite in allaying security fears in the region," Younus told reporters.
He was speaking after receiving a gold medal for scoring an epic 313
against Sri Lanka in the Karachi Test in February - a series which was
cut short following extremist attacks on the tourists in Lahore.
Gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan team bus and match officials, killing
eight policemen and wounding seven Sri Lankan players and their
assistant coach.
The attacks exacerbated security fears in the region with Bangladesh
postponing their home series against Pakistan and forcing the organisers
of the lucrative Indian Premier League to move it to South Africa.
The Indian government said it could not provide additional security
for the league because of national elections being held at almost the
same time.
Younus said a joint effort would help all the Asian countries.
"With the 2011 World Cup just two years away, a joint effort will be
in every nation's benefit because we have to save cricket in the
region," he said.
Security fears have also cast serious doubt on Pakistan's chances of
hosting its share of matches in the World Cup 2011, for which India, Sri
Lanka and Bangladesh are co-hosts.
Chances of Pakistan hosting any international cricket in the
foreseeable future are slim.
Australia, who has not toured Pakistan since 1998, saw their series
against Pakistan moved to United Arab Emirates (UAE) over safety fears.
Younus said security demands have increased since the Lahore attacks.
"I am confident that Australia will play in the UAE," said the
cricketer of the five one-day and a Twenty20 match series starting from
April 22.
"Australians have every right to be satisfied on security before
touring." KARACHI, AFP |
