Sharjah Cup in doubt after SA withdraw

The Sharjah Cup tri-series tournament in the United Arab Emirates, scheduled to commence from April 1, could be in serious danger of being called off after South Africa announced their withdrawal on Monday.

South Africa, who were scheduled to play against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the biannual Sharjah event, have opted to pull out because of fears of player safety following the outbreak of war on Iraq.

"We value our players and officials and we cannot continue with the tour when there is concern about their safety," Gerald Majola, chief executive of the United Cricket Board of South Africa, told Reuters in a press statement.

"We received an advisory from the Department of Foreign Affairs informing us not to travel to the Gulf region under the current circumstances prevailing there.

"We are, however, engaged in discussions with the tournament organisers as to possible alternative venues and or dates for the tournament to be held," Majola said.

Pakistan, who like South Africa, named a revamped squad led by Rashid Latif, following their failure to progress beyond the preliminary round of the World Cup in southern Africa, may have second thoughts regarding taking part in the competition if Sri Lanka also opt to stay at home.

It may be mention here that Pakistan and Sri Lanka played a two-match series way back in December 1990 when India and the West Indies withdrew from a scheduled quadrangular tournament in Sharjah after the war broke out in the Gulf region as a result of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Pakistan cricket suffered huge financial losses since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US with various countries expressing their reservation to tour this part of the world for security reasons.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who had otherwise spent precious public money on numerous ludicrous ventures like foreign coaches and consultants in a futile attempt to the nation's cricket fortunes, may still want its team to participate in next month's tournament.

But in case, Sri Lanka follow the example of South Africa and subsequently decide to stay in the safety of their home, Pakistan will be left playing against the likes of Kenya and Bangladesh in what would certainly then be a devalued competition.

Meanwhile Pakistan will not pull out of next month's triangular tournament.

"Pakistan has no plans to pull out of the tournament even though we have been informed by the organisers that South Africa has withdrawn its team because of the Iraq war," said a PCB spokesman.