You just hit a snag. If the ICC sanctions the four 'Western' (I hate using that term) cricket nations, it would split cricket and cause irreversible divisions.

It's also a hypocritical response when one considers the status of Zimbabwean cricket.

I wonder what happens when the ICC (ie India, SL, and Pakistan) forces countries to play in Pakistan and a cricketer gets killed. Does the PCB and BCCI just say oops, sorry, got that one wrong? The stakes are just too high, it's people's lives we're talking about!

Another bobming in Pakistan yesterday, this may be acceptable to Pakistanis but it is very abnormal for Australians. The guys are sportsmen, not soldiers, and anyone who seriously thinks there are no risks with playing in Pakistan, or that the risk is worth taking (in effect, risking ones life) is, in my opinion, not being realistic.

As the writer clearly states, *if* the competant security people say that it is safe to go (that in fact seems to be what they are saying), then although any cricketer still has the right not to go, they must then suffer the same penalty as I would if I decided to stay away from work for a month, simply because I had my "good reasons".

Nathan, tell me something has a cricketer ever been affected from a bombing in Pakistan? You dont have the right to say Pakistan is unsafe when you haven't even been to the place. Countless security teams have gone to the areas wheere the matches are to be played and the teams are to stay. All of them have said that the security is fine.

The security situation has only detrioated in the past 1 year but your country always doesnt seem to want to go to Pakistan. The thing is that you dont know what the hell you're scared off.

You have to consider the fact that these bombing have always been political. Also they rarely happen in major cities. Furthermore, there will be alot of security to protect the players.

Countless teams have visted Pakistan in the recent past.nothign happened to them. England visited. South Africa visited. India Sri lanka, otehrs visted..

Bombing take palce in India too.. they took place during the IPL.. Lanka has been going through civil war. so why boycot Pak

nathan that's a shameful comment. I'm Pakistani, and if you're telling me that my own country men and women being blown up is acceptable to us but is abnormal to Australians, that's a really poor comment. Pakistan has paid the heaviest price for this so called "War on Terror", we've carried out this "war" on behalf of western nations, and now those very nations are boycotting us and treating us as a pariah just when we need their support most.

shane warne, let me remind you, played in Jaipur when 7 bombs exploded in a market - he stayed on despite lacking "presidential" levels of security and not representing his country. why did he do this? because of MONEY.

let me remind you that cricketers have never been targetted in Pakistan (the current bombs are against the military), and Geoff Lawson, and before him Bob Woolmer, lived peacefully in the country.

i hope to God that you lose your arrogance and support our country when we need it most.

i wholeheartedly agree with Nathan - good post mate, u said it as it is

Well, the matter being put forward again and again is the fact that yes there are bombings, but they are always directed, and have always been independant of sports.

And no... Nathan, bombing is not acceptible to any Pakistani...

All I see is that India and Pakistan hold absolutely similar cultures as well as security measures even. The security around Pakistan would be much better in fact... specially for this tournament... yet everybody runs to play ICL and IPL whereas Pakistan suddenly sounds like a mine field?

as a pakistani i think we need to stop being so overdramatic and really think about the consequences of whats going on.

if a player from australia, england, nz or south africa feels compelled to go to pakistan and then actually does end up being targeted by terrorists and is injured or killed...do you realise this would basically kill of pakistan as a cricketing nation?

i dont agree with the supposed racism towards pakistan some people are suggesting. pakistan has a great cricketing history with all the cricketing nations, there have been many memorable series and matches. we are part of cricket, but do we really expect these highly paid cricketers to come to pakistan (which they really dont know much about anyway) and risk getting killed?

and this 'presidential' level security is not exactly heartening to hear. there were countless attacks against musharraf when he was in power and a certain benazir bhutto was shot dead while supposedly being protected by bodygyards.

Cricket is not just a sport but it acts as an ambassador for global peace and brotherhood. I believe a cricketer must show character and desire to give terror a bloody nose. By being sissy, we surrender to terror with out a fight! Its a sour fact that we are suffering for some one else's war. Being a front line state ally, Pakistan deserves encouragement and backing instead of misery and desperation. Isn't security assurances of this "front line ally state" enough?

Apparently if the Champion Trophy does not takes place in Pakistan, the cricket world would definitely split further into two blocks! This would be dreadful for expansion of the sport.

At the end of the day, I think if the "Western Block" do not participate, Pakistan should take a hard stand and boycott the Champion Trophy! It should also boycott tours to these nations! I am sure there is plenty of cricket to follow in Asia and as we produce 80% of the total revenues, we do not need to bother about financial sanctions!

Due to ICC politics western country players are not willing to come. There were bomb blasts but certainly security will be tight for the player. There are some blasts in India but ICC wouldn't make politics because 80% of the money comes from India and if the same players refuse to go India will do the same which affects their revenue. Srilanka is the only country having daily bomb blasts but the same players are coming to play.

Right on the money Mr.Menezes. I completely agree with you. The ICC needs to show more strength in their decision making. Its quite simple, if India so called arch-rival of Pakistan can come here and play then why cant the 'Western Nations'

If this is the price that Pakistan has to pay to fight this war with western countries, then well it turns out Pakistan made the wrong decision, what so different from what it had been had they not supported the allies. I guess it clearly shows 2 things, 1 western countires do not at all think of Pakistan as allies, even after the bloodshed.

The only cricketer I remember being killed in the last 10 years is Mr Hookes, for really not a special reason.

Champs Trophy should be in Pakistan - as that is what ICC said - I should probably say, thank you India.

If people don't want to come, we can't force them and in fact even better, we don't want those who don't want to come. Good riddance. They can play amongst themselves and have fun.

Who cares, cricket is in Pakistan and India and Sri Lanka and Bunglades. Others can join us if they want and not if they don't.

Sure Nathan! You are right. Another bombing in Pakistan is normal to Pakistanis but not to Australianns. When you conceive an illegal child you need to man up to own it. When you start an illegal war at our border, you again need to man up and come here to face the reprucussions. Another bombing in Pakistan is NOT normal to Pakistanis. We are wondering the same question, why us Huckaboroos? By the way, extremists in England Royale are not taregetting kangaroos but real beings. That includes you too! The least I would have expected from western looting countries is to stand by Pakistan and show it to the these mischiefs that you are on our side. Show some gratitude. Thank you India/Sri Lanka/Bangladesh/Zimbabwe for standing by us.

Oh by the way Nathan! I have another suggestion. How about we call it peace with Taliban and Al-Qaeda. They will stop this mayhem in our cities. We will go back to how we were in 70's/80's when you guys were travelling here frequently. And now for Talibans and alikes, why dont you give all of them the visas to New Zealand and perhaps you can finish these guys off there at your own border instead of ours? But hey look at the bright side. Atleast there won't be any excuse anymore to travel here. As for Benazir Bhutto, her security was in place. No one suggested her to sneak her head out of the car. Didn't the people sitting next to her came out unharm?

Aeroplanes kill cricketers too. Remember Cronje. Should Aussies travel by alternate means or should we stop flying altogether? Even Quantas met a freak accident few days back.

Why dont we just divide cricket nations into two blocks. We will have a white block and we will have a brown block. White block will try to convince the brown block to come to their hood to play the game. Brown block will obviously resist the move and would want white block to come to their hoodlum. Maybe ICC will then step in to mediate and all blocks agree to hold one semi final in Pacific Ocean and other in Indian Ocean.
And then we can have the final in Arabain Sea.
Or maybe this post does not make a damn sense to anyone. But the feelings are mutual.
On the contrary, I like the idea the only brown blocks play against each other, make ALL THE MONEYS and dress up all white blocks into cheerleaders. ESPN will go berserk.

To the Pakistanis:

Many westerners support Pakistan in its fight against the Taliban, and many also disagree with the way that western Governments have generally treated Pakistan in the last few decades.
However, many wouldn't feel safe travelling to Pakistan, let alone those that are in the public eye.

Try comprehending these two coexisting facts, and you'll see that there is no reason to get offended. Sad and disapointed:yes. Offended and Self-Righteous:no.

I don't blame anyone but the ICC for all this chaos. The ICC execs are just too damn soft and short of firm decision making. They can't show a consistency in their actions. Didn't they have that meeting in Dubai a few weeks ago confirming Pakistan as the hosts? Then why in the world are they having another one this Sunday to ponder again? Hadn't you made up your mind the last time around or were you simply in line with being inconsistent. Once you had confirmed Pakistan as the host, you should have ensured that the tournament goes ahead as scheduled rather than lingering around with unconvincing and time wasting meetings around the globe. You should have taken a firm stand on all the members' participation and anyone backing off must have been slapped with severe penalties, period. Shame on ICC for making a joke of itself but again one can't expect them to stand firm when they're all wearing knee caps. Stop isolating Pakistan from world cricket; this only creates more hatred towards u.

That makes perfect sense desihungama, well said. Whose war, who is fighting, and where is the war taking place, in whose backyard. Take off your glasses of hatred folkes from the white west, and look into the mirror.

It is not at all fair to tell a player should tour,if he is unconfortable in playing in a country. You can blame the ICC how much ever you want but it is upto the players finally. After all his is just a game, should not put the players life(acc. to him) on stake. Also it is completely untrue that they would have toured if for a world cup, remember 1996 WC, where Australia & NewZealand refused to travel to SriLanka.
When New Zealand toured last time, a bomb blast occured 2 km from their hotel, forcing them to abandon the tour. What would you do in the situation..? It is easy to announce the racial thinking by the whites, or blah blah, but before that, pls think in their place. I feel sad for Pakistan, but if a player think they are unsafe and not touring, what the hell is the problem with everyone sitting in their AC rooms at home and decide they should tour and publish its due to racial difference. Unbelievable from your part..!!

It seems the ICC and the various boards are happy with the security measures while the Cricketers' Associations aren't. Their job is to only make recommendations, after which it's upto the players to decide whether to go. I'm sure if the boards decide to send their squads there would be enough players willing to take this opportunity to stake a claim for a place in their side. Shane Watson, Nathan Hauritz and Graeme Swann have already said they don't mind going to Pakistan. There will be a lot more who will follow them.

Its sad to see this. Ok i had problems about Pakistan , but now that so many security meetings and briefings have happened , with Pakistan being called ok for hosting CT , i dont see why we are rejecting it. What was the point of the security assessment , when we wont change our mind ? i feel sad for the People of Pakitan , both for the War on terrorrism and than had to conetent with minimum cricket , specially from our team. Anyways , lets hope Aus decide to go for the tournament , cause frankly if Geoff lawson is living there for more than a year , we just need a few days there , is that so difficult ??? if S.Watson is eager to play in Pakistan, why not others?

First up, I think it's tragic that Pakistan is suffering as a consequence of the "War on Terror". Just as I think it's tragic that the Iraqis are suffering, of the Afghans.

Having said that, if my work asked me to go to any of these places, I'd quit on the spot. You can promise all the security you want, but the world saw what happened to Bhutto. It only takes one person to decide that a fantastic way to get attention to their cause would be to set off a bomb at a sporting event, and there's very little anyone can do.

I would ask no more of the cricketers than I would be willing to do. Cricket is simply a game, and not worth putting cricketers in even a possibly dangerous situation, just to make a point.

It is nothing against Pakistan, or the Pakistani people. It is merely an act of pragmatism.

The unfortunate thing is that Pakistan's reassurances mean nothing - they reassured everyone that the tour was safe for the New Zealanders when they were there, told them that they had the best security etc, and a bomb still ended up going off outside their hotel. All the Pakistani's can offer are empty promises, and I think they have to realise that people aren't going to take them on their word given the terrible tragedy that occurred during New Zealand's tour there. They're own (poor) reputation preceeds them, and they really can't blame that on anyone other than themselves. Seeing your cricket captain near tears as he recounts the dead and/or delimbed bodies he witnessed is something no cricket fan should ever have to sit through again. It's certainly not something that the cricketers should experience.

The racial undertones of the article are ridiculous. Sri Lanka is the alternative venue, none of the supposed 'white block' have argued against that. safety, not racial.

hey desihungama, u rock buddy.. very agressive but u r true..
well i must say that ICC is really a dead institute, cannot stand firm. finish this ICC. make another executive board with the representation of all the participating boards.. which should be equal to all the countries.. no favour for asian or western country.

I'm surprised at the naiveté of the author. A country being run by the Army ( notwithstanding democratic elections) is being targeted by suicide bombers, attacking Army installations, killing hundreds of people at the country's biggest ordnance depot and security forces have no clue who is attacking them, do you think anybody would want to visit that country and play cricket? Please read Pakistani newspapers on the net, in English) and you will know that the law and order is in shambles there, the country si in the grip of political uncertainty and suicide bombings killing 100s at one go have become norm of the day. It’s a question of security, nothing else that’s behind the boycott of Pakistan as Champions Trophy’s venue.

@ Down- under: It's painfully obvious that you are not from an English speaking country. You don't have to pretend to be an Australian supporting Pakistan's stand. You could very well do that using your real identity. It is the opinion that matters.

Funny reading the comments here, I would like to make some points:

1. Pakistan is fighting it's own war on terrorism. Please don't pose as if you are fighting someone else's war, your PM said nothing of that sort when he was in Washington. And you are being compensated more than what you should be for it.

2. How come you guys take India on your side? LOL. That is the joke of the century. Many Pakistanis here are behaving as if they OWN the financial and political clout of India and India will do as Pakistan will want. In the most funny manner, they then are going ahead insulting India for providing booze to players in IPL and for the unfortunate bomb blasts that happened there. Beautiful!

Stop taking India for granted, and stop forcing your viewpoints on how safe Pakistan is for SA and Aus. We shall make up our own mind on that.

I see Kevin hit the nail on the head in his 2nd paragraph (Booze)I am sure if Pakistan provided booze for the players than bombings would become a non issue. Oh and by the way this was written by an Aussie.

It is funny to see many posts claiming Pakistan being forced into the war on terror. If the attitudes on this message board is any indication, Pakistanis, by themselves, would have supported the terrorists rather than the innocents. Why do you then expect people to visit your country? Just because India doesn't have a heart and continues tolerating cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, doesn't mean you should expect others to be as soft.

Great to see some sanity in this piece and some of the comments. Gotta love the hate from our Indian friends as well =]. Some of these comments are just down right ludicrous though... amazing to see how narrow-minded and ignorant some people are; and somehow so confident of their beliefs at the same time. Sad to see... some people somehow think they can make a better security assessment of another country while sitting on the other side of the world based on the pictures they see on there TV. Yeah just disregard the thoughts of the numerous security teams that were actually in the country… they’re a bunch of idiots.