I am surprised at the negativity. So many other international sports activities have been played in Pakistan, ie. hockey marathons etc.

If it is not safe for Pakistanis, how can it be safe for Australia, SA, WI etc.

Bangladesh must tour Pakistan and it will be a good gesture on Part of the neighbouring country. India should follow the suit.

Cmon, why people are always made to follow the news and agenda...Pakistan might not be safe for the poors at the moment but is completely safe for international players...y Bangladesh coach is making things so complicated..either say he wants to come or say no..don't make fuss of things!!

Why should Bangladesh take a risk? Pak has become no go area for international sports. Will the world media cover the match? I doubt it.

we pakistani always have such a soft corner for bangladesh but these bangalis have left no stone unturned in humilating us after losing asia cup...

The tour will be safe and nothing will happen to any one. Bangladesh players must respond positively to the BCB decision and the coach must keep quiet.

It takes a goraa to say that it is unsafe for people to sit up and take notice. I can understand the pressure on the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistani government. But I'm amazed that the Bangladesh Cricket Control Board would endanger their players by agreeing to this. Even Imran Khan had said (before the Sri Lanka team attack) that such a thing is unthinkable. Well, it happened and he hasn't said a word since then. So much for security.

Think Positive if we will think negative Definitely negative think will happen

I personally think that we should not have made a decision in haste. Do you really think its safe to play in Pakistan? We all very well know that there are so many 'forces' responsible for the woes of our country. In this situation any one who is bent upon taking advantage of this situation can create such an ugly situation that no team will even think of coming to Pakistan for a long time to come. No security is technically foolproof, so why take such a huge risk?

Don't blame them. Pakistan is a big mess. Killers are freely killing people in every part of the country. The ones they capture enjoy cell phone and other benefits in jail or they escape. By the way how often we hear about death penalties being carried out in Pakistan?

Now Bangladesh, confirmed the tour. Now it is Pakistan's to show the world that; Pakistan is a safe place not for Bangladesh but even for Australia, South Africa, West Indies, Newzealand and even India.

There are non state actors even pakistan doesn't control , they may grab this opportunity and bring further disrepute to pakistan,.. Virginia, USA

he has every right to be concerned.

I don't think it would make a difference if Bangladesh visits Pakistan. Most western countries still won't feel safe traveling to Pakistan.

I totally agree with you. Its absolutely not safe to play ij Pak. The security is a filure so is the govt.

hahahhaha nobody cares a damn for hockey or its players ...!

Now Pakistan should prove to the world that it's the safe country for cricket as well along with other sports.

We cant provide security to our own citizens let along a cricket team. If you are a target no matter who you are Benazir or Zardari you will get attacked. We had three police mobile squads escorting the sri lankan team during their last tour. Thanks to the arrangements made by Mr Ijaz Butt.........I think this tour would not be beneficial in anyway.... We need to improve our image first internally by getting our house in order and then allow teams to come and visit us. We still hear news about bomb blast and target killings daily. wonder if any foreigner would ever like to visit under these conditions.

Coaches come and go countries are here to stay and develop understanding and relationship with each other. This coach should in indulge thinking himself above the board. He is a temporary hired individual not an ambassador of Bangladesh. He should not say anything.

i totally agree with you we cannot or any country can provide 100% security.

@ Dipu Please get your facts right. There are sportsmen and women visiting Pakistan on a regular basis. Many are from India (like the wrestling team). There are mountaineering teams visiting Pakistan. You do, however, have every right to express your personal bias and prejudice, especially in a Pakistani newspaper. We welcome diversity of views.

I personally agreed with your point, but but we have to tkae this risk now and then. Otherwisw no one will even think to visit Pakistan in a far future. Its basically a symbolic series just to show the world that Pakistan is a safe place to play in. May Allah make Pakistan a safest place ona planet.

Promoting Peace With Sports The planned tour of Bangladesh cricket team to Pakistan for playing an ODI & a T20 match on 29 & 30 April 2012, will be a great opportunity to promote peace through sports/cricket. However, as reported again in the media just now, that Stuart Law (who has already resigned from his position) the Bangladeshi cricket team's coach of Australian origin, is again speaking against the scheduled visit to Pakistan by their cricket team. This news if correct, raises many questions with serious ramifications for the cricketing world. Nevertheless, before dwelling with the consequences of the above mentioned news, the following facts should also be kept in mind, to have a better prospect of the whole issue. 1. Newly appointed coach of Pakistan cricket team Dev Whatmore, is also a former Australian Test and international cricket player, who had no qualms ever for staying in Pakistan. In fact, he was one of the coaching candidates for the Pakistani cricket team, when another very famous former Australian international cricketer Lawson, was selected as coach for Pakistan. We understand that when he was removed to appoint Waqar Younis, Lawson never himself wanted to quit the job. And Lawson stayed in Pakistan (and also wanted to stay further) during much worse war conditions in Afghanistan and it's spill over impact of very serious law and order conditions, then prevailing in Pakistan. 2.Now, Stuart Law is taking refuge under security fears, which does not hold water, as many Australian professionals are continuing to visit Pakistan and they even stay here for longer durations, without any fear of violence. As compared to this situation, we hear very regular news of violence against Asian migrants in Australia, but then again no body stays away from traveling there. 3. One isolated incidence against the SriLankan cricket team, can't be made an excuse to stop international cricket in Pakistan forever. Olympic games or any other sports were never banned from Germany after the Munich massacre. No foreign team ever stopped visiting SriLanka during it's 25 years civil war, where matches continued even during bombings and explosions. Also no one stopped visiting New York or USA after 9/11. Pakistani players were once mugged in South Africa. One off incidents or accidents happen everywhere, so why to single out only Pakistan. People don't stop air travels, just because airplanes do meet accidents every now and then. 4. Now, if today Bangladesh cricket board succumbs to the blackmail tactics of their coach or support staff, this matter will not stop here. Indiscipline and black mail, if, not nibbed in the bud, spreads like cancer. Tomorrow, other boards should be ready to face much worse pressures, for even more ridiculous demands. This situation may even force the boards to consider putting new clauses of conditions in the agreements, to safe guard their national interests with iron clad wordings. 5. Above all, the planned tour of the Bangladesh cricket team shall be arranged after clearance of double security checks by the BD government and the the ICC, with security cover provided to the guests, equal to the head of the state. Believe me, this security may not even be available to Stuart Law, neither in BD nor any where else in the world. And the planned tour is going to be over in just few days with only two matches, it will not last even few weeks. 5. Last but not the least, this tour will tremendously help the cause of cricket in this part of the world. It will also prove the resolve of the world that terrorism threat can't hold for ransom, the game of international cricket in Pakistan. In fact, this epoch making tour will highly contribute to the cause of peace in the world. These people must not forget that Pakistan stood like a rock before the terrorists, for more than a decade, so that this menace does not spread to any other parts of the world. And many Australian troops, also gave their lives in Afghanistan, for the same cause. So, today if with the decision of an ill informed Australian, the terrorists gains strength, it will be a great betrayal with the cause, for which the Australian troops shed their blood. 6. So come on Bangladesh, let us give peace a chance through cricket and let the posterity record that Bangladesh was the first great nation which revived international cricket in Pakistan.

and who will take the blame if your terrorist attacked us. the terrorist are not controlled by the state.

Welcome my Bangla friends To Pakistan !! Though we assure you that nothing wrong will happen, still do not forget to keep the Bullet Proof jacket in your kits and better to wear that helmet of yours ... always , while in Pakistan !!! just in case you know .... I am sending you all a 'Hope you will return back alive' card !!!

I wonder why only cricket was impacted due to security conditions. Since 2009 several international teams for other sports have visited Pakistan such as hockey, cycling, marathons, squash etc. Why is only cricket threatened??

Shakil bhai, same things were said when Srilankan Team toured Pak... still attack happend.... need to learn from history.... let Pak be isolated for some time till things calm down... then again all international sports can be hosted once Pakistan shedds terrorism from its soil... That day will come soon hopefully

We gave the Sri Lankans guarantee that they will be given Presidential protection and look what happened. It was a miracle that no cricketer was killed. I shudder at the thought if indeed some player had been killed. So here is the situation. Nobody really trusts us that we will provide great security. Our word has no credibility. So the best thing is for us to be realistic and forget cricket teams visiting Pakistan. Sporting events are luxury that only civilized nations can indulge in. We left the rank of civilized nations a long time ago.

we all are very much concerened for our players safety. our BCB president Mr. Kamal is taking an autocratic decision, simply for have a vote on vice-president of ICC. if his decision make happen anything like 2008 sri lanka case, there will be only loss -- no remedy. we are dead against for this tour. if PCB like to proof that the cricket is safe there better arrange a 3/4 nation cricket tournament.

I think the situation in Pakistan is the same when the Sri Lankan Team were attacked by the terrorists, if not worse!!!! Bangladeshi's are being fool hardy in going to Lahore. And Pakistan officials are even more sillier in having proposed this. No other international team will follow even if nothing happens. But if something does, that will be the end of international cricket for a very very long time.

you are comparing munich, germany to pakistan

Lets forget the dispute whatever happens happens for the best if BD tours Pakistan its for the best for both countries , tour or not we wish good luck to both teams , whatever happens , happens for the best Inshallah it will be a successfull tour if happens if not no problem

whatever happens happens for the best , tour or not this will benefit both the teams , inshallah it will happen , if it does nto there must a good reason for not happening

Terrorism is an international phenomenon and can occur anywhere. I am not saying that Pakistan is 100% safe. All i am saying is that we cannot allow the terrorists to win,otherwise no game will ever be played in any country. Think of it positively: International hockey and other sports are played in Pakistan. International coaches also live in Pakistan. Pakistan is providing a security system that must be agreeable to both ICC and BangladDesh cricket board.

He should talk to Dav Whatamore and Geoff Lawson!!

yes

it would be better if srilanka would go again instead of bangladesh then others would fallow to get the continuation

I understand your feelings brother, but you need to change your political leadership. They are back boneless!!!! look where your country is going??? and look at the other countries of South Asia. They are destroying your future and making fortune for themselves. These are the comments you have come across many times before especially after 2001. But as a Muslim I know you are in big trouble due to multidimensional conspiracy against you. I hope Allah will forgive you for your sins and will help you. As a Bangladeshi, What i can say is''Image crisis'' is severing day by day. You are losing 'Credibility' in the Muslim community as well. Just because of your impotent political leadership. we all have problems but your problems are getting more media attraction. Life of general people seems to be very vulnerable to various danger.