YOU FAILED US
Furious Pakistan accuse England of letting them down at a time of need
EngLAnD were last night accused of ‘failing a member of the cricket fraternity in need’ after pulling out of next month’s tour of Pakistan, citing increasing concerns about travelling to the region.
the stinging verbal attack by PCB chairman Ramiz Raja came just over a year after Pakistan committed to playing on these shores in bio-secure conditions, which helped the ECB mitigate potential losses that could have run into millions of pounds. Pakistan returned for six white-ball matches this summer.
As payback, it was agreed that England would play their first internationals in Pakistan in 16 years, only for the ECB to say in a statement yesterday that they were ‘sincerely sorry for the impact’ their decision to follow new Zealand’s lead will have on cricket in the Asian country. they added they remain committed to a full tour in 2022.
‘Disappointed with England, pulling out of their commitment and failing a member of their cricket fraternity when it needed it most,’ tweeted Raja. ‘Survive we will inshallah. A wake up call for Pak team to become the best team in the world for teams to line up to play them without making excuses.’
He added on Sky Sports: ‘it is disappointing to say the least because now was the time for England to help, hold our hand because that is what our small cricket fraternity normally does. it is unfortunate and disappointing because it may have a domino effect. Other teams may follow suit.
‘new Zealand have pulled out because of a bizarre security threat that wasn’t shared with our security forces, which are the most battle-hardened security forces in the world. And now England have decided to pull out. Whatever sacrifices we made last season to help the Covid situation, that appears to have gone… so we have learnt a harsh lesson.
‘it is bizarre and disappointing. When it comes to Pakistan Super League, all these England players are quite happy to travel to Pakistan, but, as a group, suddenly they are spooked by the situation and they are not willing to share it. it is extremely frustrating.
‘We are a resilient cricket nation. We will survive. it’s just that you feel cheated.’
Eoin morgan’s side had been due to play two twenty20 internationals in Rawalpindi on October 14 and 15 and England women were scheduled to feature in five matches all told.
But the historic trip was canned a little over 72 hours after new Zealand responded to a high-level security threat aimed at their players by calling off their tour on the morning of the first ODi. in a statement, the ECB confirmed its board had convened over the weekend and had reluctantly decided to withdraw.
it read: ‘the mental and physical wellbeing of our players and support staff remains our highest priority and this is even more critical given the times we are currently living in.
‘We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments.
‘We understand that this decision will be a significant disappointment to the PCB, who have worked tirelessly to host the return of international cricket in their country.
‘their support of English and Welsh cricket over the last two summers has been a huge demonstration of friendship.
‘We are sincerely sorry for the impact this will have on cricket in Pakistan and emphasise an ongoing commitment to our main touring plans there for 2022.’