In a worrisome development, the England's Mark Wood has voiced concerns over the security situation in Pakistan in the wake of an assassination bid on former Prime Minister Imran Khan. 

The statement has created unrest among cricket fans that are eagerly waiting for the three-Test Pak-England series in Pakistan. As a matter of fact, the Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should go ahead with its plans regarding the tour of Pakistan and should not mingle sports with politics. Pakistan is safe for hosting sports events. It's only the on the political front, that the turmoil is going on.  It may be mentioned here that during the time of attack on Imran Khan, the world level Asian Taekwondo Championship was ;being held in Islamabad with athletes from as many as 16 players from Nov 1 to 4. 

They did not budge an inch from their commitment and continued with their schedule and the championship which was won by Iran concluded on successful note in Islamabad, which was the centre of crisis after the attack on IK.

On the other hand, in December last when the Australian cricket team was touring Pakistan after over two decades, a powerful suicide blast occurred in Peshawar mosque killing over 60 persons, but the kangaroos continued with their tour matches and the event was staged in a successful manner. 

It was months-long tour by the Australian team during they played a Test series, and a good number of ODIs and T20 matches as well, but not a single incident of security arose during the Aussie tour of Pakistan. The Aussie team captain and their players were quite satisfied with the security cover provided to them on their tour of Pakistan. So the concerns voiced by the England cricketers should not be made the basis for cancellation fog the England planned tour of Pakistan. 

As a matter of fact, Pakistan had provided president level security VIP security to Australian team and the same can be in place for the England tour, but they should not call it a day with regard to their tour of Pakistan. It may be mentioned here that Wood has toured Pakistan for a seven-match twenty series in Pakistan in September and October last and he himself has been the witness to the high level security steps for the tour by Pakistan's security apparatus. 

Since he  is also part of the England squad which is scheduled to tour Pakistan for the three Test series, the Tests t to played  in Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi respectively in December, he should not voice any such concerns as it will fuel controversies of great nature with regard to security situation.

Wood himself has acknowledged the fantastic security provided to them on the T20 tour recently, and they will be given same security cover on Test series as well. It may be mentioned here last year, England had cancelled Pakisgan's tour on security concerns, followed New Zealand back-out of Pakistan's tour due to security concerns. However, they should not do the same thing again.  

Pak fans have been eagerly awaiting them. It is after so many years that international teams have started arriving in Pakistan. Pakistan has already suffered a lot as the world teams had  refused to visit Pakistan since a militants attack  on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan team players in Lahore in 2009, in which eight persons including six cops and two civilians were killed.  

It may also be mentioned here that our country has not only successfully hosted the Pak-Australia cricket series earlier this year but has also landed hosting rights for two mega events i.e., 2023 Asia Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy. Now coming up to the tour itinerary, the England team had also played two additional men's Twenty20 Internationals during their planned tour of Pakistan next year, and it was successful series with as many seven T20 played on various grounds of Pakistan.  One hopes they will continued with their plans to visit Pakistan after the T20 World Cup in Australia. The three-Test series is part of their process of forming the ICC World Test Championship. The two cricket boards enjoy good relations and have a historic relationship with each other. As such they should move the agenda towards a forward-looking one.

Looking back should not be an option for them as it will damage cricket in the long run. Instead of voicing security concerns, they should reaffirm their commitment to Pakistan cricket so that England players, both men and women players, play on Pakistan's home grounds for the sake of cricket. 

In fact, the England Board officials and the English cricketers should large-heartedness as it is necessary for the promotion of cricket in a country which is known for its sports commitments.

Cricket is a passion in Pakistan and right now the Pakistan cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the English cricketers and they are super excited that England team will be in Pakistan for three-Test series. To sum up, we are looking forward to England team and take pride in welcoming them on our soil. In case, the English cricketers refuse to Pakistan, it will be a huge disappointment as it will attract a bitter reaction in Pakistan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 07 2022

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