Pakistani cricketers stoned

[Zainub]

A group of unidentified persons threw stones at the bus carrying Pakistani cricketers outside the Ranjhi Airport on Wednesday, Jang reports at 2340 PST (here). Windowpane of the bus was broken while Pakistani Captain Inzamamul Haq narrowly escaped from injury. After the attack, Pakistan team cancelled the practice schedule in Jamshedpur on Thursday. Manager Pakistan Cricket Team Salim Altaf termed the attack deplorable.

This is quite sad really. I didn't expect this, and although there is a great sense of relief inside me about no one being hurt, it really does make me somewhat sad over all, after the good-will atmosphere in the Pak-India series in Pakistan last year, and a peacful atmosphere even in this one in India so far, accidents of this nature are really dissapointing. Why people would want to hurt a bunch of cricketers who have done nothing to offend them (and who are in fact trailing 0-2 in the series) is beyond comprehension. May be this is simply not just a good time for buses, first the sad incidents in Srinagar, and now this. Sometimes I really struggle to understand the motive behind such acts. Really struggle.

Once again though I have to sit up and appluad the team(almost in wide amusment). I can imagine what sort of reaction any other touring side would have given to such an inccident, it would have taken a momentus effort on the part of the BCCI to persuade them to continue with their tour and not abondon it, but what do Pakistan do? Just cancel their practice session, and get the manager to condemn it, and that's the end of it. Huh . May be I'm over reacting and something more will be said or done about this as this news spreads, but in general, my feeling is that often the PCB has a tendency to be too kind and charitible with both its overseas host and guests.

[Occasional Fan]

Deplorable actions by a few hotheads trying to make a name for themselves - although I suspect they are also all trying to avoid the court appearances which they should have. I don't know if other teams would have cancelled their tours, but it doesn't matter: it's not other teams who are involved, it's Pakistan, and well done to them for shrugging the incident off in this way. Hopefully the police will follow up appropriately. There are several hundred million people in India who, I am sure, want to see the cricket and bear no ill will to the visitors.

[Zainub]

I'm willing to accept that the idiots who have done this reflect the minority of the public in India, in fact I actually believe in that as well, but I still think the PCB should at least voice its concerns over this to the BCCI more forcefully than it has.

Last year, when we wanted India to come and play a test in Karachi, India replied with an immediate no, and even when one would presume the home side has the option to decide the schedule we accepted that with no big issue being made out of it. Even the authourities in Karachi, the local board i.e. as well as the public behaved as if it was satisfied with just the one-day, and thankul that at least they got that. But come this year, and we said we don't want to play at a certain venue and such a big issue is made out of it that there was at one stage the threat of the entire tour being cancelled. Eventually that was all solved as got our job done but India still managed to get us an extra one-day match played there. But what was questionable for me was why at all stages during the whole sage the PCB kept a relatively low key stance, allowing the BCCI take first ground. This being mr nice guy policy is what I don't understand.

Surely its not undiplomatic or anything to go and tell the BCCI that they're not happy with such and such things, especially if its security that's the concerned issue.

[Orchid]

We also haven't heard from the BCCI isn't it? They could atleast bring out a statement to condemning this action.

[Zainub]

Exactly. And I know its just a nonsense prank by some one, and that no one got hurt, but still, at least, they should try catching that person and put him to task.

[vvvrulz]

This whole carry-on by abusing the players is just plain ridiculous, some people need to honestly just grow up.

[Occasional Fan]

Can't argue with any of the points made here. But, to look on the bright side, at least India and Pakistan are playng cricket. OK, so at the moment there are some issues with certain venues in both countries, and sadly there are a few nutters out there who just want to make trouble. Eventually, we can hope, these problems will pass as fixtures between the two countries become more commonplace.

The trouble with either the PCB or the BCCI making public statements is that it might risk inflaming tension. Both bodies will be disappointed with or angry about the stoning incident - we all know it, so to some extent maybe it doesn't need to be explicitly stated. Sometimes quiet diplomacy and backroom discussions stand more chance of achieving what all parties want. The message which has been sent here, without anyone making any waves, is essentially "You goons can throw all the rocks you want to, but we are still going to play cricket, for ourselves, our countries and our hundreds of millions of followers all over the world". That's a pretty powerful message, and I tip my hat to everyone involved in keeping the show on the road, Pakistani and Indian alike.

[Zainub]

I guess you're right OF. And I read in my papers today that that guy has been caught, so it's not like they are saying you can go with your rubbish, they're actually saying or trying to rather that these idiots must grow up or else face the consequences.

[vvvrulz]

Its good to hear that something was done about it.

[Saad]

Someone threw something at Rana during the match, apparently it was a diya, and proceedings were briefly halted, before the umpires along with the Pakistani fielders decided to get on with things. It's quite commendable this demeanor of the Pakistani team, they seem keen to get along with their cricket, and don't seem to make a lot of fuss about these issues.