'No one would want to play on Pakistani soil'

The attack on the Sri Lankan team at Lahore has placed the future of cricket in the sub-continent in jeopardy. In an exclusive interview with Chandran Iyer, former chairman of selection committee, Chandu Borde, shares his apprehensions of co-hosting the 2011 World Cup with our troubled neighbour Pakistan.

The attack on the Sri Lankan team at Lahore has placed the future of cricket in the sub-continent in jeopardy. In an exclusive interview with Chandran Iyer, former chairman of selection committee, Chandu Borde, shares his apprehensions of co-hosting the 2011 World Cup with our troubled neighbour Pakistan.u00a0

What do you think will be the effect of the attack on Sri Lankan team on Pakistani cricket?

pic/Anil Naik

The attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore has caused an irreparable damage to the image and reputation of Pakistan. This will affect not only cricket but even the other games. I doubt whether any country would now sent their players to Pakistan.

But terrorism is not new in Pakistan?
It's a known fact that terrorism reigns in Pakistan, however, what has happened now is simply not done. I can't understand what the terrorists wanted and what are they going to achieve by indulging in such acts. Such incidents will cause irreparable damage to the interest of people who love game.

Terrorism reigns in other countries of the sub-continent as well...
Yes, there are security concerns in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but nothing of this sort has happened ever. No one had ever targeted cricketers. I'm afraid that if such instances continue to happen, no European country will ever tour Asia and we'll be left to play only with the teams of the sub-continent.

But Pakistan is a nation with people who love the game...
It's quite true. Pakistanis love cricket and the country has produced some of the finest cricketers in the history of the game. I feel sorry for the Pakistani payers and everyone in Pakistan who love cricket.
If, by any chance, playing international cricket get banned there, then it will be not only a loss for Pakistani cricket but also of the game at large.

Whom do you hold responsible for what happened with Sri Lankan players?
It's nobody but the Pakistani government. They knew that things were not good and it was their duty to provide security to the players. The Pakistani government has failed miserably despite assuring proper security to the players.

Do you think the 2011 World Cup, which is to be co-hosted by Pakistan will happen as planned?
I don't think so. No one would want to play on Pakistani soil. Players will be petrified to even step out of their hotel. Andu00a0 even Pakistan would not be keen to host the matches due to security concerns.

How were things in Pakistan during when you used to play?
The crowd used to get unruly whenever Pakistan lost. When we toured Pakistan in 1989, we had to abandon a match due to the way crowd behaved with us.
Even Azharuddin got injured during the match as someone from the crowd had hit him with a sharp object. However, what happened with Sri Lankan team wasn't even heard of those days.