Call off the comp

So that is the official line: the tension and spate of suicide bombings within Pakistan, the wavering nations and those supporting this year’s organisers, and the crisis talks, a solution and a whole lot of back slapping.

But what’s the real story? Because of the nature of the horse-trading and power broking within the corridors of the ICC, it is unlikely we will really know if the safety argument really formed the crux to some countries’ withdrawals.

But look at the facts: packed schedules comprising the ICC Future Tours Programme, which must be adhered to, domestic cricket and, of course, the big-name Twent20 tournaments; a competition that was unappealing to many; disquiet by some boards at the overwhelming power of the Asian bloc and double standards by cricketers on what they do and don’t deem to be safe.

In the world of politics – and there are few places away from governments more political than the ICC – there is always more to an issue than meets the eye, and each of the above may well be true.

Zaheer Abbas makes an excellent point that players such as Graeme Smith, Shane Watson and Kevin Pietersen were prominent in their opposition to the tournament, based solely on security grounds.

This is even though they were happy to take the IPL buck and play in cities that had experienced bombings shortly before they crossed the boundary onto the pitch.

And a lengthy break in international cricket – something unheard of these days – ensuing from the ICC’s decision could only be to the players’ favour.

The push for staying away from Pakistan came from the players, who had made their reservations clear to their respective boards even before the July 24 ICC meeting that decided against relocating to Sri Lanka – itself a country with a record of bombings disrupting cricket tours.

During a meeting at Lord’s last month, ECB chairman Giles Clarke told Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive that his body had a duty of care to travelling media and supporters, as well as his players.

It is clear that the players of the dissenting countries have been pivotal in driving forward the situation we see today.

The future of the tournament, though, doesn’t look bright. The Professional Cricketers’ Association chief Dougie Brown, who represents players’ interests in England, believes it is “highly unlikely” the same tournament will be played in Pakistan next year.

He sees that cricket has lost its “window of opportunity” for the competition, when all cricketing nations are available to play together at the same time.

And all this leaves poor Pakistan right in the middle of events, but still out in the cold.

With the resignation of PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf at the same time that President Musharraf stepped down, the body is experiencing some of its weakest days.

The security situation in Pakistan has for years been at the forefront of cricket affairs; Australia, for example, haven’t toured the country for 10 years, and earlier this year postponed their tour once on the back of safety concerns.

Cricket Australia dispatched risk fact-finders to Pakistan to ascertain the level of safety there before the Champions trophy, and have stopped short of confirming that next year’s tour there would go ahead.

“Professional risk assessment says the risk is acceptable in some places,” said the board’s spokesman, Peter Young. “At the moment, it’s not acceptable in Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke bemoaned his lack of opportunity to tour there. “Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to go and play cricket in Pakistan,” he said recently.

But whatever the real causes that forced this decision, most parties will be pleased. The non-Asian members will feel comfortable that there is now time for the Pakistan political situation to calm down before they need to think about returning to the country.

And now, India has the opportunity to bring forward the Champions League – something they had always been looking out for – unfettered by any pesky scheduled international cricket that might get in its way.

All the while, Pakistan knows it retains the Champions League – at least, that is, on paper. It was destined to be a source of immense national pride for the people of that country, an opportunity to showcase what good they can do in the face of a period that has been overshadowed by the negative elements of the game.

As usual, it represents a good, old-fashioned ICC resolution.

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