Pakistan team’s tour to Zimbabwe postponed
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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) have mutually decided to defer Pakistan team’s tour to Zimbabwe, scheduled for August-September this year, for an indefinite period, well-informed sources told Dawn on Friday.
Pakistan were scheduled to undertake a return tour to Zimbabwe for a bilateral limited-overs series featuring ODIs and T20s, after Zimbabwe squad visited Pakistan for a historical series in May this year, opening the gates of international cricket to Pakistan after a lapse of six years.
“[However] Zimbabwe have now involved the West Indies to hold a triangular series, in place of the bilateral series, which does not suit Pakistan in the wake of [our] qualifying for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy,” a PCB official told Dawn on the condition of anonymity.
“The decision to include the third team was clearly clashing with our interests. Therefore, we proposed Zimbabwe a T20 triangular tournament but it was not accepted. So, both [Zimbabwe and Pakistan] cricket boards have decided to postpone the triangular event and any bilateral series for the next year,” he added.
Decision mutually taken by PCB, ZC
“[Deciding] fresh dates for the tour to Zimbabwe is not possible this year. However, a window will be found out next year to tour,” the official said.
“The PCB was ready to play a T20 series [in Zimbabwe], bilateral or in a triangular format,” the official added.
In fact, the PCB wanted to play the triangular ODI series too. However, when Azhar Ali and company took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the ongoing five-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, which ensured the green-shirts’ participation in the Champions Trophy, no further ODI cricket suited Pakistan’s interests.
Had Pakistan lost the ODI rubber in Sri Lanka, participating in the triangular series (in Zimbabwe) would have been the only chance left for the PCB to keep its team’s qualification chances for the Champions Trophy alive.
It is instructive to mention here that in case of Pakistan’s loss in the Sri Lanka ODI series, the West Indies would have opted for the strategy, now adopted by the PCB -- of withdrawing from the triangular series in Zimbabwe -- as in that scenario further ODI cricket would not suit the Caribbean side.
Taking a look at PCB’s recent strategy of finalising international series -- with Pakistan struggling to qualify for the Champions Trophy -- one finds the approach anomalous.
The PCB, after the national team’s disastrous exit from the World Cup, made a mistake by deciding to send its team to Bangladesh for a limited-overs series (which featured three ODIs) in April-May.
Before the Bangladesh series, Pakistan stood at seventh place in ICC ODI rankings. However, after losing all three ODIs to a resurgent Bangladesh who had stunned England in this year’s World Cup, Pakistan dipped to ninth spot and faced the danger of failing to qualify for the Champions Trophy contested by top eight-ranked teams.
After losing in Bangladesh, Pakistan had to confront two tasks to regain their standing among top eight-ranked teams to get eligible for the Champions Trophy.
There were doubts that Pakistan will get the required results, as the new skipper Azhar Ali, installed after the World Cup crash, was inexperienced in ODI format, seemed to lack confidence and had not even been considered by the selectors earlier as an accomplished ODI player.
After undergoing the 0-3 thrashing in Bangladesh, first Azhar’s men had to win the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe at home, which was necessary to revive international cricket in Pakistan.
Though Pakistan did it successfully, the second challenge was tougher -- of winning the series in Sri Lanka.
However, Azhar and his team-mates gathered themselves, took the challenge head-on and with teamwork and self-belief also achieved this target, defeating Sri Lanka 3-1 in the series (with the fifth and final match to be played tomorrow).
The bilateral ODI series victory on the Island after nine years enabled Pakistan to finally book their place in the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2015
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Comments (87) Closed
Jul 25, 2015 09:35am
way to boost team moral PCB.. That, that the champions trophy position is at stake is a culmination of years of mismanagement and mishandling of affairs and dubious parchi selection policies of the PCB.. but way to display the tunnel vision again.. The lack of confidence shown by the PCB in a team that is finally starting to gel together will do wonders on the current lots confidence..
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Jul 25, 2015 10:42am
PCB just need to realize that if Pak had won the triangular series then what positive impact it would have created jn players minds especially considering their winning out of pressure situation... If they are afraid of facing Wezt Indies and Zimbabwe then they dont stand any chance in Champions trophy anyways as the trophy belongs to champions not teams having 'self interest' rather cri keting interests...
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Jul 25, 2015 12:56pm
that is mean and bad, when you were in need you proposed a series which they accepted, now when you have secured a place, you have postponed the series, is this the way to deal?
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Jul 25, 2015 12:56pm
This is the real minnows pictures of Pakistan. What a conspiracy!!!!
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Jul 25, 2015 12:57pm
@Adnan just pre_empted my comment
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Jul 25, 2015 01:01pm
What if West Indies invite Zimbabwe or any other team and take the series whitewash. Pakistan will be in trouble again.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:02pm
Clever Pcb :P
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Jul 25, 2015 01:04pm
A result of Banglawash.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:09pm
Typical Pakistani reactions, its about time the PCB put their interests first, the tour has been postponed not cancelled, it did not matter to ZIM if PAK tourned in Sep or later as ZIM not qualified for CT, also PAK has been playing cricket non stop since April, they need a break before they take on ENG and NZ at the end of the year. So people, pls chill out. Good decision by PCB.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:17pm
Very bad PCB... You stabbed Zimbabwe in the back which was the only team who came to play a home series here. FYI india and west indies are planning an odi series so rankings may still change. Abandoning Zimbabwe for a tournament like champions trophy may have serious repercussions later .
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Jul 25, 2015 01:19pm
@Zahid No Zahid Pakistan will not be in trouble because Zimbabwe is not a top ranked team and a white wash against them does not make too much big a difference.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:24pm
@Zibbi are you serious with your wording?
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Jul 25, 2015 01:25pm
This is a disgraceful ploy on the part of PCB. Before the Sri Lanka ODIs, West Indies were already perched at eighth position and could have denied participating in the tri-series in Zimbabwe but they agreed to do so, in order to give Pakistan a fair chance of qualifying for the Champions Trophy, even if it meant risking their own exit. Now that Pakistan has reached no. 8 by beating Sri Lanka, the Board says two hoots to West Indies and going back on their commitment to Zimbabwe, who risked life and limb to tour Pakistan.....scant payback for the favour they did to Pakistan by touring the country. One reader aptly observed: what if West Indies hold a series of their own and win it by the required margin to edge Pakistan out of the Champions Trophy? Time to hang our heads in shame, I'd say. And to borrow an old cliche - this is just not cricket!
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Jul 25, 2015 01:42pm
Where are the people who were chanting Zimbabwe Zimbabwe slogans on Pakistan tour.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:42pm
Well done PCB. Pakistan have been mistreated in the past many times over.
No series involving WI was confirmed, it was only suggested by Zimbabwe to include WI. Pakistan has ever right to look after its position...
What guarantee is there that WI would have played if they were ahead of Pakistan at this point.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:43pm
It's the right decision! Sometimes you have to retreat to achieve better results.
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Jul 25, 2015 01:51pm
@NKRubel
We Pakistanis are furious. Look at social media. They r not putting confidence in our team
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Jul 25, 2015 01:59pm
Correct decision
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Jul 25, 2015 02:00pm
Its a mutual agreement
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Jul 25, 2015 02:05pm
PCB this is a very shameful. this team can win triangular cup because they have shown some good cricket so plz try them in difficult situation. and it does not matter if they lost while playing good cricket.
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Jul 25, 2015 02:31pm
@sandeep I am one of them, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, this has nothing to do with Zimbabwe, read the article before you jump to conclusions, its been postponed and not cancelled. Pak has been playing too much cricket, not like India. Learn to read first and then ask questions.
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Jul 25, 2015 02:41pm
We should have gone ahead with the tournament. Simply putting it if we had lost the trinseris we never deserved to be in the champions trophy......
PCB management just saved their jobs nothing else. I am.sorry zimbabve
Sports is supposed to be competative. Will someone remind this to the old and useless management of PCB
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Jul 25, 2015 02:50pm
The ICC Champions Trophy is flawed. The game of cricket is hijacked by these so called Big Three. Zimbabwe and West Indies have the right, and these must be included in the coming Champion Trophy.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:00pm
An absolutely cowardice act by the coward PCB. An act of shame. Be the men and face West Indies and Zimbabwe and send a positive message to the whole world. If we could win against Sri Lanka why cannot we beat Zimbabwe and West Indies?
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Jul 25, 2015 03:03pm
@Nisar See there was obviously a purpose to postpone the series whether mutually or otherwise. Nevertheless, PCB approach seems OK in view of WI (past) attitude towards PCB. Over and above, playing in Champions Trophy will result in more earning.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:07pm
@Nisar Bro it has been postponed looking at chances of Pakistan making to the championship trophy. An act of cowardice it is. No more No less. Go figure.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:26pm
Please believe in your team, champions trophy is not world cup... A well wisher....
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Jul 25, 2015 03:32pm
We do not have details of the trilateral tour agreement or the ICC rules so not sure this is kosher. Zimbabwe and WI seem to have no problem. However, clearly it seems that Pakistan is postponing so as not to unneccessarily jeopardize its participation in the Champions Trophy given the ICC point qualification methodology.
It seems to me some folks are scared of facing the Pakistan Team at the ICC Champions Trophy.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:36pm
This is not fare. When Zimbabwe played Cricket keeping their lives on their hand in Pakistan, Pakistan should send their team to Zimbabwe. This is going to effect other teams to visting unsecured Pakistan.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:39pm
Relax guys its just a postponed not cancelled, PCB want to give a break to the players who are continuously playing from last several months. Nothing wrong to give some rest to your players who are exhausted from playing non stop.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:43pm
PCB at its best!! I feel sorry for the players who deal with these PCB people
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Jul 25, 2015 03:51pm
Thats cowardly act
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Jul 25, 2015 03:51pm
I understand the concern of some folks here but they dont seem to get the headlines that the tour was postponed by "mutual" decision.
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Jul 25, 2015 03:59pm
Very unwise move. This is not sportsmanship.
Bad move for cricket and players.
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Jul 25, 2015 04:01pm
@adnan
brother it is a good decision because of facts appended below..
mutually postponed not cancelled..why should pcb facilitate wicb..teams have bailed on us in near past after initial confirmation for tour..we are committed to ZCB and will play them soon..lack of sponsors is one of the main reason as well..
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Jul 25, 2015 04:06pm
Recall that India and South Africa's tours to Bangladesh were arranged to qualify it for Champions Trophy.
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Jul 25, 2015 04:07pm
@sandeep
just wait and you will see india organizing a series with wicb to kick us out.. it is high time to be appreciative of pcb decision .. i always though they have no brains but they prove me wrong.. kudos to them..
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Jul 25, 2015 04:10pm
Reading the comments here it is my sense that everyone is of the opinion that Pakistan will win the Champions Trophy.
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Jul 25, 2015 04:42pm
Shame on PCB, I stand with Zimbabwe.
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Jul 25, 2015 04:53pm
It took me several hours to click on the link. I was so disappointed reading the headline. First, if we cannot perform in the Zimbabwe series, we don't deserve to be in the CT any ways. Why has the Misbah's defensive mindset crept into the PCB management's head ? Furthermore, Zimbabwe stood by us at the time of need. This is not fair to them. I am not happy with this defensive approach - at all!!!
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Jul 25, 2015 05:05pm
It must be the money which every nation will win from champions trophy otherwise no one cares about standings in this tournament. It can be interesting if now WI arrange a ODI tour and win it for Pakistan to stay out of the tournament. India would do anything to see that happening.
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Jul 25, 2015 05:09pm
I trust that the current PCB team has made the best decision suited to the team's interests.
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Jul 25, 2015 05:20pm
Better safe than sorry. All the haters would have been furious had Pakistan not qualify for CT 2017.
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Jul 25, 2015 05:35pm
Zimbabwe!! Zimbabwe!! :P
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Jul 25, 2015 05:37pm
That is low class attitude by PCB. We are indebted to Zimbabwe and should accept any invitation to go there anytime. I don't care about champions trophy. Champions go to champions trophy
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Jul 25, 2015 06:06pm
When country is scared to cross with WI and Zimbabwe, how they are going to face Australia /South Africa/ New Zealand ?
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Jul 25, 2015 06:17pm
Opportunist Pakistan. Everybody knows that in the even of Pak loosing to WI in Zimbabwe, Pak would have been out of the Champions Trophy. No more " bhashans " on morality please.
R.S. Menon, Bangalore
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Jul 25, 2015 06:29pm
BCCI in talks with WI Board for arranging a 7 match ODI series in India in August, in which India would post an under 15 team to face the full strength WI team ?
R.S. Menon, Bangalore
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Jul 25, 2015 06:47pm
I think playing the tri series in Zimbabwe would have been the right thing. What if West Indies schedule another series to manipulate their chance of going through to the CT 2017?????
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Jul 25, 2015 06:54pm
Let the boys play and get experience. If they don't make it in trophy so be it. What's the point to go to tournament with immature team and be out disasterly.
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Jul 25, 2015 06:55pm
Chicken!
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Jul 25, 2015 07:04pm
This is like putting a knife in the back of a country which helped pakistan in a courageous way by visiting pakistan hen no one else was willing. But Pakistan can only act like Pakistan.
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Jul 25, 2015 07:15pm
So it is official!! Pakistan is in Champions Trophy.
Three new fast bowlers will be in the squad. Watch the fun! GO PAKISTAN!
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Jul 25, 2015 07:38pm
What nonsense
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Jul 25, 2015 07:46pm
What a stupid decision for team Pakistan. Nobody would any longer trust PCB. They are already secluded and now Pakistan has committed suicide.
Just look if Pakistan loses last match their point will be 88 again but will be ahead slightly from WI. And if , I am sute they will, WI manages a series with any team they will go further.
A board that does not keep words does not deserve playing cricked. I am disgusted . Morally we are ruined now. The world will laugh at us...
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Jul 25, 2015 07:51pm
I am not surprised but I am surprised to see so many folks in this thread are surprised. We should know this is just another joke and PCB is running by thugs and thieves. Just because we won against weak sri lanka team and weak zimbabwe team we are feeling good about our team. Let's wait when we go against the top class team like Aus, Eng, New Zealand and South Africa after we should praise our team. Fact of the matter that we are struggling to qualify for a tournament tells me quite a bit
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Jul 25, 2015 07:58pm
We wish our boys God Speed at Champions Trophy. Jeevay Pakistan!!!
Go Pakistan!!! Geaux Pakistan!!!
This trophy is yours!!!
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Jul 25, 2015 08:25pm
If cannot face the 9th and 11th ranked teams in ODI's for fear of losing, then we don't deserve to be in the Champions Trophy in the first place.
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Jul 25, 2015 08:42pm
India must help West Indies now. BCCI please arrange some series so gentlemen of cricket must not be left behind.
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Jul 25, 2015 08:43pm
@Blue Saffron I Think now it is time for you guys to agree that Bangladesh team has played good cricket . If you cannot respect others how can you expect respect from others. Bangladesh did not do any conspiracy . Remember that .
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Jul 25, 2015 09:00pm
come on, be confident. realize you owe Zimbabwe also.
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Jul 25, 2015 09:12pm
If they scare of West indies and Zimbabwe what they will do in champions trophy.
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Jul 25, 2015 09:22pm
Looks like PCB does not have confidence in Pakistan cricket team. This is shameful and reflects the attitude within PCB. So if you have qualified for champions trophy your commitments have you no value.
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Jul 25, 2015 09:25pm
Why they told the disastrous exit from world cup 2015 they lost a quarter final by inch only, if that catch would be taken Australia surely were in trouble.
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Jul 25, 2015 09:27pm
I m not interested in champions trophy in England like last CT was ruined bu the rain and may be this time because of almost same month schedule.
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Jul 25, 2015 09:43pm
While I can understand the reasoning for this decision but don't agree. First, honor your word/commitment irrespective of the potential outcome. Second please shed the defensive mentality, looks like it crawled into management mind too. Have faith in our boys, they are on a roll and can deliver. This will only boost their moral more.
While all other teams have busy schedule and can't host W.I, but what happens if Zimbabwe invite W.I for series between Zimbabwe, S.A and N.Z ?
Defensive mindset decision, for once now that team is getting an aggressive posture (and we love it) management is taking defensive decision. Disappointed.
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Jul 25, 2015 09:44pm
This is typical for Pakistan returning the favor of a country who were the first and only country to visit Pakistan after the ban. The captain, coach and management is not confident of the teams ability and thing they may lose to WI and lost the chance of going to the Champions Trophy.
Why not the ICC put a hefty fine on Pakistan and even suspend them from playing the Champions Trophy.
I don't think WI or Zimbabwe will find it amusing.
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Jul 25, 2015 10:10pm
@Gaf Then India has every right to refuse to play with pakistan.
BCCI is doing great job not playing with pakistan, even they request thousand of times
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Jul 25, 2015 10:24pm
Very negative approach. If west Indies wins too many games against weak team, they will qualify.
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Jul 25, 2015 11:10pm
Excellent opportunity for India to fill in the void created by Pakistan and give West Indies a chance to win and spoil Pakistan's dream.
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Jul 25, 2015 11:29pm
@weirdity
Comment of the day
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Jul 25, 2015 11:45pm
Boards of loosing teams have to play in drawing rooms to keep alive. Its a pity situation. Hope Azhars squad will soon pull themselves out of such miserable sitauon.
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Jul 25, 2015 11:51pm
I am sure we would be glad to take on the challenge if India plan to visit Pakistan for a series comprised of at least 3 ODIs by early August!
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Jul 26, 2015 12:26am
@sunny_boye
You are missing one point.
The Champions Trophy takes place in two years. There is no guarantee that the squad will have same strength by then.
This applies to all teams.
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Jul 26, 2015 12:31am
@Zibbi
You are wrong. It is not about staging in the back of Zimbabwe.
The series is not cancelled. It is postponed.
Anyhow the whole system of cricket is corrupt with the two tier ICC membership and UNO like veto powers.
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Jul 26, 2015 02:23am
@Mr.Mirror what are you saying?! We should play and lose against WI? Just to give chance to WI? We are king of fixing and betting (IPL is the proof) But we are not stupid to make it look this obvious!
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Jul 26, 2015 03:06am
West Indies can visit Pakistan for a one day series. An offer that Pakistan may not refuse.
Quite a few options.
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Jul 26, 2015 04:35am
so being scared to play Zim and W. Indies we expect to win the Champions Trophy? Not a chance to win Champions trophy with that attitude.
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Jul 26, 2015 05:01am
Not fair to West Indies. Fight like tigers, don`t hide and face the world. This decision shows lack of confidence in players and team. What a shame PCB.
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Jul 26, 2015 05:03am
It is a cheat. As Pakistan was already preparing to play Zimbabwe and WI, now it is unfair to cancel that only because we have got enough points to reach Champions trophy. I would want Pakistan to play a 3 match ODI series against WI and let this series then decide that who get to the champions trophy. It would be the worst scenario if now india plays a series against WI and loses it.
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Jul 26, 2015 09:41am
you can run but you can't hide.
PCB has become a laughing stock.
Pak cricket team does not seem to be a champion material I suppose. Because a champion team is never afraid of loosing.
ZC cricket supported PCB big time but PCP has clearly let them down.
A shameful Act committed by PCB indeed.
Should we be criticizing BCCI? Any other conspiracy theory?
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Jul 26, 2015 09:43am
@Blue Saffron rank 2 and rank 3 team playing for qualifying..great
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Jul 26, 2015 10:39am
Not a moral decision at all. This will open the window of bad decision in participating series for self interest and benefit ahead of ranking.
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Jul 26, 2015 11:21am
Imagine the confidence playing the series would have resulted. Why are these so called high ups (government and PCB) in Pakistan scared of loss. We can never win when we are scared.
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Jul 26, 2015 01:11pm
Pakistan helped Bangladesh, now Srilanka is helping Pakistan. Wonderful cooperation between SAARC countries. Sorry West Indies!
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Jul 26, 2015 01:24pm
I don't like the idea it will instill a fear factor that facing low ranked team these players are not confident then how come these same players going to face champions top ranked team, either way they no chance.
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Jul 26, 2015 09:09pm
I hope Bangladesh will arrange an away series with WI on August/September as both countries are free of international duties. As a Bangladeshi, I feel it will be a wonderful opportunity for us to have more international matches and obtain more experience and hope best team will win the series.
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