‘Learn from South Africa’

KARACHI: Haroon Lorgat made it clear on Thursday that Pakistan’s chances of hosting international cricket in the near future were less than slim and urged them to follow the South African example by focusing on their domestic game.

“My view and advice is that there was a period when South Africa was isolated. Pakistan can follow the example of South Africa who focused on their domestic cricket when they were isolated from international cricket and managed to return with a bang,” the ICC chief executive told a news conference held here in the lead up to the ICC World Twenty20 championship getting underway in Guyana from April 30.

“Pakistan is doing that domestically and unlike South Africa of that time, Pakistan also gets to play international cricket outside. It is a very unfortunate situation but Pakistan has the resolve and patience to overcome it,” added Lorgat.

Pakistan has become the cricketing equivalent of a pariah state after Sri Lankan cricketers came under a terrorist attack in Lahore in March 2008. Six people, mostly policemen, were killed in the attack that left several visiting team members injured.

Foreign teams, who were already reluctant about touring Pakistan because of security fears, have refused to come and play cricket here since the attack.

PCB has been claiming that it is making efforts for the resumption of international cricket in Pakistan with the support of the ICC. There have even been reports of a possible Pakistan visit of a ‘World XI’ to break the ice but Lorgat ruled out the possibility of such an event taking place in the future.

“The international calendar is packed. Even Pakistan doesn’t have any slot to fill in any such matches,” said Lorgat, who is the first high-profile cricketing personality to visit Pakistan since the Lahore attack.

Lorgat rejected the impression that the ICC is not doing enough to help Pakistan host international cricket again and that foreign teams are avoiding the country because of racist reasons.

“It is a very complex issue, a very complicated one. It is absolutely untrue that it is a racist issue. It is one simple fact. There is a lack of confidence in visiting teams in the security and safety in coming to this environment.

“During the 2008 Champions Trophy issue we did everything we possibly could to get teams to come here. It was only at the eleventh hour that we made a proposal for alternatives. The very simple fact is that visitors are not confident about safety and security here.”

Lorgat, a South African, renewed ICC’s pledge to support Pakistan cricket.

“Pakistan is an integral part of the ICC, it is a respected member and we will be supportive of the challenging times Pakistan faces and we will do everything possible to support cricket being played in Pakistan. We have to be mindful of the realities and have to convince other members to come to Pakistan but that is a process.

“I would appeal to everyone to exercise patience because it can’t happen overnight. I have no doubt that with the talent that Pakistan has Pakistan will remain a force in international cricket.”

Lorgat said that he was pleased to visit Pakistan and hoped that Shahid Afridi’s men would once again give a forceful showing in the ICC World Twenty20 to be held in the West Indies from April 30-May 16.

“It’s fantastic to visit the reigning champions Pakistan and I am sure they will perform well this year too,” he said.

Lorgat refrained from predicting the winners of the 2010 trophy but said that he would pick defending champions Pakistan, Australia and South Africa as the four semifinalists.

“Those are my four teams and I guess any big performance beyond that which Shahid Afridi did in the semifinal and final last year can win the tournament,” he said.

PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, who flanked Lorgat, painted a rosy picture for Pakistan cricket

“There is plenty of cricket happening in Pakistan, we have played over 600 matches domestically,” said the former Pakistan Test cricketer.

“We are getting a lot of help from the task force and the ICC. It is with that help that we are playing in England this year and a neutral Test at Lord’s, which is unheard of. The task force has been able to do that and we are getting a lot of help and support and are in constant discussions over a number of other plans.”

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=234508