Imran, you were terribly wrong about terrorists'' ''love for cricket''
New Delhi, Mar. 3 : Tuesday's ghastly terror act in Lahore in which seven Sri Lankan cricketers were injured has certainly confirmed that the Indian government's denial to grant permission to its cricket team to visit Pakistan was not a hasty step in the wake of Mumbai attacks.
The `commando attack' on the players proves that teams around the world were right on their part for not touring Pakistan, and also put forth a question mark on the claims of former Pakistan captain, Imran Khan that his country is safe for cricketers.
In an interview with Australian Television, Imran Khan had proudly declared that the game of cricket would never be hampered by militants in Pakistan because of the fact that Pakistanis love their game passionately.
"I know that cricketers would never be under any threat from terrorists. Terrorists rely on support from the masses because that's where they get their recruits, and cricket is a game which is so loved and there's such passion in Pakistan that the terrorists know that if a cricket match is bombed, they've had it. The public will just turn against them." Khan had said.
Now, that it has happened, we wonder what Mr. Khan will have to say?
It seems that the `love' about which he was talking about has vanished, paving the way for terror acts that know no reason but destruction..
The attack on the Lankan players is not only an attack on the players, but it has also wounded the future of cricket in the sub-continent.
Another veteran Pakistan cricketer, Javed Miandad, after Sri Lanka gave a green signal for the tour, had said that the series would be an answer to all those teams who have refused to visit Pakistan.
"We must give the message to world that we are a peace-loving people. We want sports to be played here and want to fight off the terrorists by not succumbing to them," Miandad had said.
He too has been proved wrong. The scar of the terrorist act on the face of the game could take long to heal, and fears are there that it may take a life long period for Pakistan in the process. (ANI)
