Younis Khan urges other cricketing nations to tour pakistan

Agnel

Younis Khan used cricket's grandest stage to announce his retirement from Twenty20 internationals, and make an impassioned plea for teams to once again tour his country. The Pakistan captain, speaking after Sunday's emphatic eight-wicket World Twenty20 victory over Sri Lanka, hoped the result would go far to saving cricket in his homeland, which is struggling to attract the interest of younger generations with no international matches being played within its borders.

I am requesting to all of the countries: 'You must come to Pakistan'," Younis said. "Everybody knows law and order is not good but it is not our fault. Especially for youngsters, we need home series because everywhere there is no cricket in Pakistan. How can we motivate the youngsters, especially at school level and college level? I think this will be helping us build a new structure in Pakistan for our future.

"How can we promote cricket to our youngsters if there is no international game in Pakistan? How can I motivate my son and my neighbours' small children? That's why we need cricket in Pakistan. Law and order is not good, but this is not our fault. We are suffering at the moment from these kinds of things. I think sports should be away from politics."

Dedication to Bob Woolmer

Younis dedicated Pakistan's World Twenty20 triumph to his former coach Bob Woolmer, who died during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

"This final must go to Bob Woolmer," he said. "He was doing good things with us in 2005 and especially my cricket. I would be very proud if he was alive and sitting with me because he's a very nice guy and was a father figure for us. Why I am captain is because in 2005 - at that time I was not a regular player for Pakistan - he was the guy who all the time was chatting with the chairman and the selectors that Younis will be the next captain. So because of him I have become a captain. I dedicate this final to Bob Woolmer."

Source : Younis retires from Twenty20 with a plea | Cricket News | ICC World Twenty20 2009 | Cricinfo.com

Agnel

I'm not sure if others are going to risk their lives to promote cricket in Pakistan. Only asian countries had the guts to go there. Now after the recent attack against the Sri Lankans, only Bangladeshis would visit Pakistan, since India is ruled out by default after 26/11 attacks.

Younis Khan's plea would go in vain I guess.

C.Ronaldo

Well I don't think that even Bangladesh will tour

They won't like to risk the life!
Attacks on lankan's was a real disappointment! There wasn't an effective security system present!

And now PCB had to suffer it because theyy didn't granted an effective security!

Agnel

If no one tours, then dubai is their best option.

PS: Invite Talibans to play

C.Ronaldo

talibans

Safin

I guess nothing has changed within Pakistan for a rethink on the cricket tours.
Although the good thing is that the win will ensure that the support for cricket will remain in that country. And particularly young people will take up balls and bats rather than guns and stingers for entertainment

Ninja

Pakistan has too much of raw talent for the cricket to die. Cricket will never phase out from there.

As for other teams touring Pakistan is concerned, i don't see that happening anytime soon. It will be a brave move to send the teams after what happened with SL cricket team. The goras' were always apprehensive about touring pakistan, but after the attacks on SL cricket team, even the Asian bloc will be reluctant now.

Agnel

It will take atleast another 2-3 years for teams to put up their hands and say they will tour Pakistan.

medpal

with northen border of pakistan up in flames and qaeda shouting they will use nukes means no one will go to pakistan for touring.

rather than going for neutral venues, i suggest pakistan should tour other countries instead so that they can bargain for guarantee money and tv revenue share, that way they will earn more, play more, entertain more.

now the biggest dillemma is pakistan`s claim for ICC world cup in 2011, they will go any length to get it and there are already cracks in relations of asian team with BCCI and SLC aligning within themselves.

i dont see a good future for the tourney.

Safin

There is alos the possibility of terrorists trying to sabotage the tourney in India, SL, too.
One terror attack is all it takes for the Aussies and English to run off