Taking the issue in its recent chronological perspective, since 9/11 and especially the bomb-blast at the New Zealand cricket team’s Karachi hotel in November 2002, only Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have played Tests in Karachi. India and Zimbabwe have played ODIs. No other team i.e. South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, West Indies or England has played in Karachi, either Test or ODI. Last year, India was reluctant to play any match in Karachi but agreed eventually to an ODI. After India’s positive experience of playing in Karachi, there was an acknowledgement from Indian players, press and fans that, next time, India should play a Test in Karachi.

For the England tour, PCB had proposed Karachi for a Test in its initial letter to ECB dated 9th March, 2005. Shortly afterward two huge blasts, one in Bari Imam adjacent to Islamabad’s diplomatic enclave and the other in a Karachi mosque took place with heavy casualties. In its reply ECB indicated that they would like to avoid Karachi as a venue but agreed to the visit of a security team before finalizing the tour itinerary. Meanwhile, ECB also referred the security issue to the British government for advice. It needs to be mentioned that the itinerary of all tours is not decided between the two concerned cricket boards but only after clearance from respective governments who make their own assessments of the security threats in various cities. Regrettably, Karachi falls in the high risk assessment of most western governments. Their travel advice to all nationals is to avoid travel to Karachi.

The ECB Security team visited Pakistan between 27 June-7 July, 2005 and recommended that instead of a 5 day test which would result in the England team staying 8 nights in Karachi, one ODI may be scheduled in Karachi. The PCB raised a counter-proposal of two back to back ODI’s in Karachi but the ECB made it clear that even playing one ODI had been difficult particularly as the players and their wives had apprehensions about staying 8 nights in Karachi for a Test Match. The British government endorsed this view.

To make matters worse, the National Press carried a statement from the Karachi City Nazim predicting bloodshed during the local bodies elections. Unfortunately, the Nazim’s statement appeared in the press on the same day the ECB’s security team was visiting National Stadium Karachi. The timing could not have been worse.

Thus after the approval of both governments, PCB and ECB agreed that Karachi would not be bypassed and one ODI played in that city. PCB’s position was conveyed to ECB only after approval from the government at the highest level.

Given this background, the following points are relevant:

- The decision on venues is taken by the concerned boards and cleared with both governments. PCB had suggested the itinerary after consultation with its government as a result of which Karachi was included for a Test.

- England is the first team to agree to playing any match in Karachi-Test or ODI-other than South Asian countries and Zimbabwe.

- As with India, a successful ODI would open doors to England and other countries playing Tests in Karachi in the future. Thus, reviving international cricket in Karachi by playing an ODI against England must be seen as part of a step-by-step approach.

- If PCB had insisted on a Karachi Test, the England tour would have been cancelled, denying the Pakistani public of a hugely awaited cricket series.

- Moreover, England’s cancellation of the tour would have sent a negative message to all other countries regarding Karachi’s security and Karachi’s - and Pakistan’s - cause would have been severely damaged. Instead, England’s playing in Karachi is viewed as a welcome step in alleviating widely held security perceptions.

- PCB would have lost around US$ 10 million in TV fees, gate money etc. as a result of England’s tour cancellation.

- While it is accepted that hosting a Test has its own importance, the attendance at past Tests has been a small percentage compared to that at ODIs. A near 35000 full house would attend an ODI vs. England in Karachi.

- PCB is confident that once a successful ODI is held in Karachi, a precedent for Tests in Karachi would be established not only for England but for other visiting countries.

- After the terrorist attacks in London, both boards agreed that cricket series would be maintained i.e. England to Pakistan in 2005 and Pakistan to England in 2006. Of course, we reserve the right to intercede with the ECB regarding the security of our players as we did in the case of Ahmedabad during the India series.

- The decision to play an ODI in Karachi is supported by both governments and boards. In Pakistan the decision to hold one ODI instead of a Test was cleared by the government at the highest level. It is a responsible decision which opens the way for a step by step acceptance of Karachi as a Test centre.

Ironically the British press has viewed ECB’s acceptance of holding an ODI in Karachi and a Test in Multan as a concession to the PCB!

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Pakistan Cricket Board)