| Sports |
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Swap World Cup 2011 with Australia |
| Saturday, April 25, 2009DUBAI: |
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| Imran Khan |
Former captain Imran Khan on Friday said the South Asian block should have swapped the 2011 World Cup with Australia to avoid security fears in the region, especially in Pakistan.
The 2011 World Cup was due to be hosted in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but International Cricket Council last week decided to strip Pakistan of its share of matches because of “uncertain security situation.”
Khan said situation in the region demand a swap of World Cup with Australia and New Zealand who were co-hosts in 2015.
“Pakistan should have gathered support of its Asian partners and swapped the 2011 World cup with Australia because the situation could improve by 2015 and at that time South Asia should host the World Cup,” Khan told AFP.
Khan, who is here to watch the ongoing series between Pakistan and Australia — moved out of Pakistan because of security fears — said current situation does not warrant any cricket.
“There is no end in sight for the situation in Pakistan and I would blame the governments of Pervez Musharraf and Asif Zardari for the current situation in the country,” said Khan.
Khan, who now heads his political party — Tehrik-e-Insaaf — said there was no question of cricket in Pakistan in near future.
“We are fighting United States’ war in the region and Musharraf dragged Pakistan in a war and due to it investors and sportsmen are not willing to come, so we are bearing the loss and until it’s finished there is no chance of cricket.“Why Pakistan was dragged in the war because no Pakistani was involved in the 9-11 attacks on the US but we have been involved in it and there is an enormous loss of life, finances and cricket,” said Khan, 56.
Khan, who captained his country to their only World Cup title in 1992, said Pakistan failed to provide proper security to Sri Lanka team and is now paying the price.
“Had we provided the presidential level of security we promised to the Sri Lankan team we would definitely have been hosting more cricket, but that event hit us badly,” said Khan of terrorists’ attacks on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.The attacks, unleashed on the team who was on its way to Gaddafi Stadium for play in the second Test, left seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach injured besides killing eight policemen, and ended any hopes of cricket in the country.
Khan said Pakistan cricket is dealt severe blows in one month.
“Pakistan is left with no opportunity. The players have been suffering because of poor first class structure and with no international cricket the revenues are on the verge of bankruptcy,” said Khan. |
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