LONDON, Oct 24: Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan has warned the standard of his country’s cricket side could suffer because of instability which has prompted the cancellation of home international fixtures.

“Not just the Pakistan cricket team, every sport in Pakistan because if it applies to cricket, it applies to every other sport,” he said, when asked if the national team could be affected.

Imran, who led Pakistan to their lone World Cup triumph in 1992, also warned that plans for Pakistan to play their home games abroad were “not sustainable”.

“Where are they going to play games abroad?” he asked, during an interview here on Thursday in which he restated his opposition to the Pakistani government’s role as a key ally in the US-led “war on terror”.

“I think that cricket will keep suffering until things change, the way this whole war is being handled changes,” the former all-rounder, who is now chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf, said on a visit to London.

He added foreign teams would not be targeted by militants if they came to Pakistan, despite fears which prompted Australia to postpone a tour in March and also saw the multi-nation ICC Champions Trophy one-day tournament, due to take place in Pakistan this September, delayed until next year.

Pakistan has been convulsed with violence for months with recent attacks including a suicide bombing at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad last month which killed at least 60 people.

“Terrorists do not target cricketers because cricket is a passion in Pakistan,” Imran, 55, said. “To target cricketers would mean losing the war of hearts and minds of the people of Pakistan so therefore for not one minute do I think cricketers are at risk.

“But I do understand that what they (foreign players) read abroad on the bombings and what they’ve been told by the embassies and foreign advisories, I can understand their reluctance,” added Imran, an Oxford University graduate who played English county cricket for Worcestershire and Sussex as well as spending a season with Australian state side New South Wales.

Imran, an outstanding fast bowler and dangerous middle-order batsman, played 88 Tests for Pakistan from 1971 to 1992, taking 362 wickets at a meagre average of just over 22 apiece, and scoring 3,807 runs at nearly 38 with six hundreds.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

AN IMF mission is in Islamabad for unusual, early talks with the Pakistani authorities as the lender seems worried...
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

BARA tehsil, a region typically known for its security challenges and socioeconomic problems, can now boast the...
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....