Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 
Indian motives questioned

Indian motives questioned

09/12/2008 4:04 AM

Related Links

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif believes countries are willing to tour India following the terror attacks in Mumbai only because of the financial clout of the Board of Control in India.

England decided on Sunday to return for a two-Test series despite abandoning a seven-match one-day programme five matches in because of the trouble in Mumbai.

Teams have refused to tour Pakistan, however, since the political unrest which saw former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto assassinated last December.

Australia indefinitely postponed a scheduled series in April this year, while the Champions Trophy was postponed after several teams refused to travel because of security concerns.

Latif hit out at Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who recently said India was crucial for the game.

"I think Ponting should be honest enough to say that the cricket world needs India only because of its huge commercial market for the game," Latif said.

"It has nothing to do with security."

"It is terrible the way the International Cricket Council and other boards are insisting on cricket resuming in India."

"What happened in Mumbai was terrible, but if teams can play in India why not in Pakistan?"

"All this talk about security concerns by Australia and other teams now stands exposed."

"It is all about money and nothing else."

"If India didn't have the financial clout no team would bother to go there so soon after the Mumbai attacks."

Latif said security could not be guaranteed anywhere in the world.

"Anything can happen anywhere and when teams can accept security assurances from the BCCI and government, why can't they do the same when the PCB and the government urges them to tour?" he asked.

"The truth is no one can dare ignore the money India is putting into the game."

"It is nothing but greed."

Meanwhile, Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam hailed England's decision to return for the Test series against India as a good sign for his country.

"I see it as a positive step," said Intikhab.

"This is a boost for Pakistan and hopefully teams will tour Pakistan as well."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

Latest Ashes Headlines

 
 
Onions named
Onions named
Cricket
05/07/2009 9:52 PM
England seamer Graham Onions could barely contain his excitement after being named in the ...
 
 
Johnson raring to go
Cricket
05/07/2009 5:29 PM
 
Hauritz still in the mix
Cricket
05/07/2009 11:36 AM
 
Harmison rattles Aussies
Cricket
05/07/2009 7:31 AM
 
Draw satisfies Australia
Cricket
05/07/2009 6:16 AM
 
England to revive 2005
Cricket
05/07/2009 5:59 AM
 
North keeps up attack
Cricket
04/07/2009 10:28 PM
 
North relieved with ton
Cricket
04/07/2009 12:07 PM
 
Harmison plays down chances
Cricket
04/07/2009 12:00 PM
 
North ton lifts Aussies
Cricket
04/07/2009 7:36 AM
 
 
 

Other Cricket Headlines

 
 
Rain ruins Windies hopes
Rain ruins Windies hopes
Cricket
06/07/2009 4:50 AM
The West Indies' chances of snatching a draw in their one-day series with India were ...
 
 
Sri Lanka re-takes control
Cricket
04/07/2009 11:04 PM
 
Umar punishes Aus A
Cricket
04/07/2009 7:12 PM
 
India edges out Windies
Cricket
04/07/2009 9:53 AM
 
England women clinch series
Cricket
04/07/2009 8:26 AM
 
 
 

Your Say

 
 

Our Say

 
 
Andrew Wu in England
Aussies set to step up a gear
Andrew Wu in England
Do not be fooled by what appears to be a lacklustre effort by Australia in its opening ...more
Andrew Wu in Worcester
Australia's last chance to impress
Andrew Wu in Worcester
Australia's four-day match against the England Lions starting on Wednesday night will be ...more