Cricket needs to stand up for Pakistan
Pakistan are playing England at Edgbaston under the shadow of the floods that have laid waste to much of northern Pakistan and claimed thousands of lives while displacing millions more
Tariq Engineer
25-Feb-2013
Pakistan are playing England at Edgbaston under the shadow of the floods that have laid waste to much of northern Pakistan and claimed thousands of lives while displacing millions more. In the Hindu, Peter Roebuck asks cricket to stand up for Pakistan in its time of need.
Pakistan is in disarray. Cricket is a victim of forces beyond its control. Years might pass before international teams are allowed back. At such times it is important to show solidarity. A smile can achieve more than a hundred scowls.
Every cricketing country ought to reconsider its response. Over the years Pakistan has contributed enormously to the game and it remains one of the powerhouses. Numerous English clubs sign professionals from the Punjab. The national team has been considerably strengthened by settlers from Pakistan.
Australia has just added Usman Khawaja to its ranks. Now cricket needs to show Pakistan that it cares, and to that end ought to put its mind to staging relief matches to raise extra funds in this hour of need. Its not right to pick and choose between disasters.
Tariq Engineer is a former senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo