Western policymakers may be increasingly concerned about the situation in Pakistan, but the International Cricket Council still want to hold the Champions Trophy there in September. Today the ICC task force ruled that there are sufficient security measures in place. But Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa still have massive worries, and are thinking about not taking part in the tournament. The ICC are employing the Pakistani coach, Geoff Lawson, to convince them otherwise.
Just as it did before the 2003 World Cup, the ICC is acting like cricket is cut off from the real world. The time has come for it to face up to the dangers of fragile political environments. This tournament attracts huge numbers of fans and many high profile targets. Their decision was predictable. It maintains the schedule and the sponsors’ money flowing in. But it ignores their number one duty: the protection of their players.
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