Inzamam offers to talk to Champions Trophy waverers by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	ICC Champions Trophy 2008/09

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DateLine: 30th July 2008

 

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq on Tuesday offered to talk to players considering a boycott of September's Champions Trophy, saying he would help to allay their security concerns.

 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced last week that the tournament would stay in Pakistan, prompting fears of a boycott by non-Asian countries which opposed the decision.

 

"If a player has any concern, I am happy to talk to them," Inzamam, who retired from international cricket last year, told AFP.

 

"As someone who has played at the highest level, I would never advise cricketers to put their lives or careers at stake. But I firmly believe Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and the players should trust the ICC, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and the Pakistan government," he said.

 

Defending champions Australia, along with New Zealand and England, have expressed doubts over security arrangements for the September 11-28 tournament, with players associations urging a boycott.

 

But Inzamam said any pull-out would be damaging, not just for Pakistan, but also for world cricket.

 

"The players have to understand and realise that if they pull out it will not help the cause of cricket, it may devalue an important tournament and stop the development process in Pakistan," he said.

 

"Pakistan is a sport loving country and by pulling out, they will be denying the opportunity to millions of local supporters who want to see them in action," said Inzamam, who played 120 Tests and 378 one-dayers for Pakistan.

 

Inzamam hailed the ICC's decision and said outside perceptions of Pakistan formed by news reports of bombings and Islamic militant violence could be deceptive.

 

"There are always two sides to the picture, and I think the players need to see the other side of the picture to get to the bottom of the reasons for these acts of violence. They are not attempted or targeted at cricketers," he said.

 

"In the past, domestic competitions have been played during those tough times and never has a cricketer or a sportsman been affected by them."

 

He added that the ICC "has shown great support for Pakistan and has proved they did not want to isolate a country which has been deprived of some valuable cricket in recent past."

 

The ICC has appointed a task force to ensure that Pakistan implements a full security plan for the biennial event, regarded as cricket's second major tournament after the World Cup.

 

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed said he was ready to offer advice to any international waverers.

 

"A player understands another player's language, so I am ready to convince players from England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa that it is safe to play cricket in Pakistan. No one is going to target cricket," said Mushtaq.

 

"I think the whole world is quite unsafe compared to maybe seven years ago. But that doesn't mean that we should stop our routine lives -- the show must go on and it is the responsibility of everyone to beat terrorism," he added.

 

"Some fight against it with guns and some by showing solidarity. I think to beat terrorism, you have to be a team player and that is what cricket teaches us -- team spirit and unity."

 

Another former captain, Moin Khan, said Pakistan should not be cast into cricketing isolation.

 

"Pakistan must not be left alone in this and I hope the ICC's decision would be backed by its member countries," Moin said.

(Article: Copyright © 2008 AFP)