the Boards are interested to play bilateral series and Zimbabwe focused to visit Pakistan in the month of May 2015.
I really don't know how to feel about this to be honest. On one hand of course I want Zimbabwe to have as much international cricket as possible but on the other hand I have concerns over the players safety.
I think pakistan might be using playing in Pakistan as leverage. They know we want tours and are desperate, so they want us to go there and they will reciprocate.
In saying that, I dont see why we cant play them in Dubai/Abu Dhabi like everyone else.
I wonder if the players will raise concern about travelling to Pakistan and maybe pull out individually.
Pakistan is no safer now than when the Sri Lankan team were attacked.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani
I think being a Pakistani I am in a position to respond to this
The situation in Pakistan is not good...As someone said its pretty much similar to what it was at the time of Lankan team attacks....or maybe even worse
But having said that....If the govt decides to back the tour (which will obviously be the case if the tour does go ahead)...I am sure it will be fine...But the problem, for the team, will be that they wont be able to move around much...Not that they would want to...I mean Pakistan barely has any night life :p
They will have to follow the itinerary given by the officials...The Kenyan team got extraordinary security....and Zim being an international side will get even better security...So despite being afraid that another Lanka team style messup will end international ckt in Pak for atleast a couple of decades, I am sure that Pak army and govt will do a fine job
Wasn't Sri Lanka given so-called "presidential level" security in 2009 though?
I am worried that it's still too risky to tour there.
If ZC do follow through on it, there better be consultation with the players - if any of them are not on board then it shouldn't go ahead. Firstly for solidarity, and secondly because we just wouldn't be strong enough to compete if even a few guys opted out. And also, if ZC do follow through, the PCB response better be a bit stronger than just a reciprocal tour.
Given even Bangladesh have expressed no desire to tour Pakistan, a Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan is worth much more than just one reciprocal tour. I'd say a reciprocal tour paid for PCB as well as an away series in UAE paid for by PCB is the right ballpark of appropriate gratitude.
In any case...I know Pakistanis who dont want to come to Pak...so I dont blame outsider who does not want to come...Consultation with players is a must....and despite PCB being pro active its highly likely that the govt may actually not allow PCB to go ahead with the tour...
Its a complicated situation....
PS: I dont think the Lankans were given presidential security...besides the definition of the word presidential has changed in recent years in Pakistan :P
The Pakistan situation is one of the great tragedies of cricket. I would be surprised if tours to Pakistan happen regularly within the next 10 years. I guess things can change quickly though.
My All-time Zimbabwe XI
Neil Johnson, Brendan Taylor, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower (w), David Houghton, Sean Williams, Heath Streak (c), Andy Blignaut, Paul Strang, Eddo Brandes, Blessing Muzarabani