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ZIMBABWE’S tour of Pakistan witnessed another day of mixed signals with the Asian country’s cricket leaders saying late last night that the Chevrons will make the trip.
The Pakistan Cricket Board twice, in separate statements, asserted unambiguously that the tour was on while ZC officials insisted through the day that no such decision had been taken.
Sources told The Herald that the tour was on.
Late-night reports from Pakistan said the Zimbabwe team was to land in Lahore on May 19.
They also revealed the importance of this visit for Pakistan, where no Full Member has toured since the attack on the Sri Lankan team in March 2009.
The PCB issued a statement at 9-30 pm local time, quoting its chairman Shaharyar Khan welcoming what he referred to as Zimbabwe Cricket’s decision to undertake the tour of Pakistan from next week.
“After last evening’s unsettling news that Zimbabwe Cricket had ‘postponed’ its visit to Pakistan, I received a call from my Zimbabwean counterpart William Manase and he most kindly informed me that his Board was still willing and ready to send their team to Pakistan,” Shaharyar’s statement said.
“This evening we were informed that Zimbabwe Cricket had decided to stick to its plans of sending their team to Pakistan.
“We welcome this affirmative response, and assure Zimbabwe Cricket again that [of] the best possible security,” the statement said.
The press release followed statements made by Shaharyar to reporters in Lahore in the afternoon.
He said he had had verbal communication from Manase, the ZC chairman, confirming the visit.
“Manase called me three times to reaffirm that Zimbabwe would be touring Pakistan as per schedule,” Shahrayar was quoted as saying.
The PCB’s COO, Subhan Ahmed, said preparations for the tour were in full swing.
“This morning we had a meeting of the organizing committee to tie all the loose ends. The ticket sales shall commence from tomorrow.
“From the inquiries and feedback that we are getting, people are really eager to come and watch the revival of international cricket in Pakistan.”
The ZC website contained a press release quoting CEO Wilfred Mukondiwa that no decision to tour had been made.
“There are consultations going on at the moment with relevant authorities. We do not have a final position as yet,” Mukondiwa said.
On Thursday the ZC issued a press release saying they were suspending the tour to Pakistan on the advice of the country’s Sports and Recreation Committee, who, after consulting the Foreign Affairs Ministry, deemed it “unsafe” to travel to Pakistan.
Less than 30 minutes after that release, ZC’s communications manager Lovemore Banda sent a second email retracting the statement and explained that discussions were still “ongoing.”
Late on Thursday afternoon, Banda confirmed that meetings were still taking place.
The situation remained the same yesterday, with ZC involved in consultation all day and no resolution reached.
Zimbabwe named a squad of 16 players, including one new cap, to travel to Pakistan.
Although some players were wary of visiting Pakistan, they all remained available for selection.
ZC were satisfied with arrangements made for their safety after an advance party, including managing director of cricket Alistair Campbell, visited Pakistan last week.
The group were given a tour of the stadium and facilities as well as a thorough explanation of the security plan put in place to protect Zimbabwe’s cricketers.
Campbell told journalists in Pakistan he was “very excited,” about his country being the first Test-playing nation to re-open the door to Pakistan, and hoped it would help bring cricket back to the country. — Cricinfo/Sports Reporter.
Online Reporter