Pakistan Attacks Leads To Questions on Major Events
Monday's terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Pakistan has led international sports officials to question the future of major sporting events on the Indian subcontinent.
The attack on a team bus in Lahore left six police officers and two civilians dead and five Sri Lankan cricketers and a coach injured.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday announced that it will reschedule matches after rejecting an Indian Government minister's request to postpone the cricket tournament because of security concerns and a clash with the country's elections.
IPL Chairman Lalit Modi stated "we will leave no stone unturned to provide our cricketers, fans and stakeholders alike the best security arrangements."
Pakistan looks likely to lose its co-hosting of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, according to International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat was quoted on Bloomberg, stated "it's difficult to see international cricket being played in Pakistan in the immediate future. Pakistan may play in neutral venues as the home team."
Australia stopped touring in Pakistan after 9/11, and all negotiations since then have failed to persuade them to return. New Zealand, the West Indies, South Africa and India have all cancelled or amended fixtures with Pakistan over the past six years because of worries about security.
However, Australian Commonwealth Games Association President Perry Crosswhite said the Commonwealth Games Federation will discuss the latest incident but there were "no plans" to relocate the 2010 Commonwealth Games away from India.
4th March 2009 - BLACK CAPS CALL OFF PAKISTAN TOUR
9th December 2008 - INDIA TO UPGRADE STADIUM SECURITY
