CAPE TOWN, 21 September 2003 — South Africa have canceled their tour to Pakistan because of security concerns, the United Cricket Board (UCB) said yesterday.
The tour was given a final go-ahead on Thursday but the UCB subsequently decided to call it off because of a bomb blast in Karachi on Friday. South Africa were due to leave today.
“The UCB regrets that South Africa is unable to tour Pakistan at this time due to yesterday’s bomb blast in Karachi and the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan,” UCB media officer Gerald de Kock said by telephone from Johannesburg.
De Kock said there was still hope the two teams could meet at an alternative venue. “The UCB has offered the Pakistan Cricket Board the option of playing the series in South Africa or at a neutral venue,” he said.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Rameez Raja expressed dismay at the decision. “I am shocked and disappointed by South Africa’s decision,” Rameez said.
But PCB Chairman Tauqir Zia said he was still hoping to persuade the South Africans to reconsider. “I am also getting in contact with the South African sports minister and the UCB and will try to convince them to review their decision to cancel the tour,” Zia said.
He said that he had spoken to ICC President Ehsan Mani, who was right behind Pakistan. “The ICC is supporting us on this issue and we feel confident that something positive will happen soon,” Zia added.
Mani said he would be discussing the situation with all parties concerned. “Over the coming days the ICC will be working with both the UCB and the PCB to explore all available alternatives to see if it is possible to reschedule the tour and the program of matches in Pakistan in the near future,” Mani said in a statement.
The UCB said the decision had been taken after consultation with safety and security consultants, as well as South Africa’s High Commissioner in Karachi, and also as a result of information received from international intelligence sources.
Before the current tour by Bangladesh, Pakistan had played only two Tests and three one-day internationals at home following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and the subsequent war in Afghanistan. India called off a tour in April because of tensions over the disputed state of Kashmir.
Pakistan are due to play Bangladesh in the final game of the five-match one-day series in Karachi today.
UCB President Ray Mali said South Africa regretted calling off the tour. “The decision has been taken with much regret,” he said. “We know how much the tour means to the people of Pakistan and it is also a tour which we have been looking forward to. But the safety of our players is our primary concern.”
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the team had been looking forward to the tour. “From a cricket point of view it’s very disappointing,” he said.
“For a young cricket side it would have been fantastic to tour Pakistan, especially with the West Indies then coming here in our summer. But you can never take your security for granted.”
ICC Panel to Retain
Two-Stage Procedure
The ICC’s cricket committee of management has decided to retain the two-stage procedure for players reported for a suspect bowling action, it was reported in Bombay.
Under the process, a player has six weeks following an initial report to undergo any necessary remedial work under the direction of his home board and is permitted to continue playing during this period. If a second report is lodged within 12 months of this period the player must then appear before the ICC’s expert panel for a decision and may be suspended from the game.
Tendulkar Slams Another
50 to Put Bombay on Top
Sachin Tendulkar followed up his first innings 94 with another half-century as national champions Bombay set Rest of India a challenging 340 for victory in India’s premier domestic five-day match in Madras yesterday.
The 30-year-old Tendulkar, back from hand surgery in April, cracked five fours in his 108-ball 50 as Bombay scored 244 in their second innings on a greenish wicket on the third day of the annual Irani Cup. The Rest, bowled out for 202 in their first stint, were 55 for two at stumps having lost Sanjay Bangar (1) and Virender Sehwag (36). But Rahul Dravid (16 not out) kept them in the hunt with Vangipurappu Laxman and Saurav Ganguly yet to bat.
