’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.

'No one would want to play on Pakistani soil'

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.

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.

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