BCB, BOA, CWAB condemn attack: Pakistan's tour still on

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Pakistan's tour still on
BCB, BOA, CWAB condemn attack

The Pakistan cricket team's tour to Bangladesh is still on despite a cowardly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team's bus in Lahore on Tuesday morning.

There had been confusions after the tragic deaths at the BDR headquarters whether the tour will take place on schedule and yesterday's attack by masked gunmen in the Punjab capital puffed up the uncertainty.

But State Minister for Youth and Sports Ahad Ali Sarkar and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed that the upcoming tour is on.

Pakistan are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on March 7 to play two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals. The two Twenty20 and first three ODIs will be held at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur while the last two ODIs will take place at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium.

"The government decision so far is that the series is on schedule," said Ahad Ali Sarkar yesterday.

"We are prepared to host the series and still there is no uncertainty about it," said BCB's cricket operations committee chairman Enayet Hossain Siraj.

It has always been believed that sportsmen are above fear of terrorist attacks but after the shocking incident in Lahore there is no scope to think in the same line any more. And understandably, BCB looked very alert on the issue of the coming series.

"The security is always a big concern and no doubt after this incident we will be more careful," Siraj added.

The BCB strongly condemned the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers, which left six security men and two civilians dead and inured as many as six Lankan cricketers.

"The BCB is deeply concerned at this unprecedented attack on cricket, which is a symbol of hope and aspiration for millions in the Sub-continent and around the world. We are saddened by the unfortunate events and express solidarity with the players, match officials and victims of the attack," said BCB in a statement.

It also said that the BCB has been in touch with Sri Lanka Cricket, Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council and has voiced its alarm at the incident.

Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh also expressed their sorrow and anguish over the dastardly attack while the Bangladesh Olympic Association condemned the incident.