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http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200812/20081219/article_385055.htm
India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni (front) and Ishant Sharma share a light moment with Yuvraj Singh (unseen) who was giving a television interview. India plays England in the second test today.
Pakistan invites Sri Lanka
Created: 2008-12-19 0:20:00
PAKISTAN has invited Sri Lanka to tour next month as replacements for India, which pulled out yesterday following the militant attacks in Mumbai in November.
A senior Pakistan Cricket Board official said an invitation had already been sent to Sri Lanka to play three tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in January and February.
"It (India's withdrawal) is disappointing for us but we were expecting this," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said in Lahore.
"We still maintain sport should not be mixed with politics. We believe cricket can help improve relations between the two nations.
"Pakistan has gone without test cricket for more then a year now and we are desperate to have international cricket at home. The Sri Lankan board should hopefully accept our invitation."
India called off the tour after the government refused permission following last month's attacks in Mumbai which killed at least 179 people.
"They (the Indian board) have said they can't play the series in the existing conditions and that when things improve they will discuss it further," Altaf said.
A PCB official said the board stood to lose about US$20 million after India's trip was called off.
Former captain Rashid Latif said Pakistan should seriously consider cutting off cricketing ties with India.
"Our team went to India in 1999 when conditions were worse and there were threats to the players from extremist elements who even dug up pitches at match venues," said Latif.
"The Indians need to show more responsibility."
Other former and present Pakistan players also expressed disappointment at India's decision to cancel its scheduled tour.
"It's a big disappointment and a setback to Asian cricket," former test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said. "The terrorism acts could happen anywhere in the world, but that does not mean that sports activities should come to a halt.
"Once we thought Asia will be a strong bloc in the International Cricket Council, but if we don't play against each other in our respective countries how could we become stronger?" Nawaz questioned.
But former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi thought it was "probably sensible not to go."
"The situation is tense ... better to allow some time for tempers to cool down a bit and take another look at it in a few months."
A senior Pakistan Cricket Board official said an invitation had already been sent to Sri Lanka to play three tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match in January and February.
"It (India's withdrawal) is disappointing for us but we were expecting this," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf said in Lahore.
"We still maintain sport should not be mixed with politics. We believe cricket can help improve relations between the two nations.
"Pakistan has gone without test cricket for more then a year now and we are desperate to have international cricket at home. The Sri Lankan board should hopefully accept our invitation."
India called off the tour after the government refused permission following last month's attacks in Mumbai which killed at least 179 people.
"They (the Indian board) have said they can't play the series in the existing conditions and that when things improve they will discuss it further," Altaf said.
A PCB official said the board stood to lose about US$20 million after India's trip was called off.
Former captain Rashid Latif said Pakistan should seriously consider cutting off cricketing ties with India.
"Our team went to India in 1999 when conditions were worse and there were threats to the players from extremist elements who even dug up pitches at match venues," said Latif.
"The Indians need to show more responsibility."
Other former and present Pakistan players also expressed disappointment at India's decision to cancel its scheduled tour.
"It's a big disappointment and a setback to Asian cricket," former test fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said. "The terrorism acts could happen anywhere in the world, but that does not mean that sports activities should come to a halt.
"Once we thought Asia will be a strong bloc in the International Cricket Council, but if we don't play against each other in our respective countries how could we become stronger?" Nawaz questioned.
But former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi thought it was "probably sensible not to go."
"The situation is tense ... better to allow some time for tempers to cool down a bit and take another look at it in a few months."
Agencies
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