CA Keep Track Of Pakistan Tour After Peshawar Bomb Blast
Security was and still is a big worry for any international cricketing squad visiting Pakistan. After a large bomb explosion outside a hotel in Karachi in 2002, New Zealand (NZ) officially canceled its visit to Pakistan. The cricketing community also recalls strongly the 2009 situation in Lahore, when the Sri Lankan cricket team’s bus was attacked by terrorists, and Pakistan was forced to withdraw as an international hosting side for more than a decade.
On the opening test match of the series, terrorists returned to Pakistan’s international cricket calendar. The terror attacks assault at a mosque in Peshawar, approximately 188 km away from Rawalpindi, wherein Pakistan and Australia are holding their first Test match, brutally killed more than 50 people and wounded numerous others. According to local sources, more than 150 people were gathered inside the mosque when it was stormed by gunshots, and a guy rushed inside and exploded a bomb.
Officials hopeful for Peshawar bomb blast will not have a negative impact on the series
The act shocked the cricketing world, and Cricket Australia (CA) was closely following the situation. Going back to the previous tours, countries including New Zealand and England declined the proposal to tour in Pakistan, provoking the host country’s displeasure, and this year, Australian player Ashton Agar got a threatening message before the tour.
Peshawar is not on Australia’s current schedule, and the touring players have been provided with presidential-style protection throughout the long tour. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Australian team officials were watching the issue and communicating with the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It further stated that there is no indication that the Peshawar bomb will have a negative impact on the series.
The ongoing match in Rawalpindi is Pakistan’s 6th Test since the 2009 event. Both Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have worked very hard to make the tour a possibility, and they will do all possible to guarantee that the series does not get sidetracked in the midst.
Despite Pakistani security officials’ efforts to ensure the safety of the Australian tour, the bomb explosion will be a source of a bit of concern for the CA. However, Australian Cricket made the bold decision to resume the historic series in which they are touring Pakistan after 24 years. Perhaps, the series would be a success, and many more countries would not be hesitant to tour Pakistan in the coming years, putting an end to the conflicts.
