Thursday, October 25, 2007

Pakistan switch game from Karachi


Security has been a major factor on recent tours of Pakistan

Pakistan's fifth one-day international against South Africa on Monday has been moved from Karachi to Lahore because of security concerns.


The South Africans did not want to play in Karachi after last week's bombing of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's convoy in which 139 people were killed.

"We deeply regret this decision, especially for the people of Karachi.

"But members of our contingent are not comfortable travelling there," said team manager Logan Naidoo.

"If possible, we will play in Karachi when we tour Pakistan next time."

Bomb attacks in the city have disrupted previous series, with New Zealand flying home in 2002 after an explosion close to their hotel, which killed 14 people.

South Africa refused to play there the following year and in 2005, England declined to play a five-day Test in the city, although they did take part in a one-day fixture.

Karachi is one of Pakistan's two main cricket centres and their board's chief operating officer, Shafqat Naghmi, said: "We don't want touring teams to avoid playing here.

"But the main purpose is this tour should be completed on schedule and the final match is played."

The hosts were unable to persuade a security expert sent to the city by South Africa that it was safe for the team to fulfill the fixture.

"He felt that playing in Karachi was not feasible at this moment," said Naghmi.

Prior to the match in Lahore, the two sides will meet in the fourth game of the series in Multan on Friday, with Pakistan leading 2-1.

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