Pakistan's cricket coach Dav Whatmore Monday voiced disappointment at Bangladesh postponing their tour, saying he had felt no security concerns during his two months in the country. Last week Bangladesh agreed to visit Pakistan for a One-day match and a Twenty20 international but the tour was delayed on Thursday by a Dhaka high court ruling over security fears.
Pakistan had hoped the short tour would help revive international cricket in the country, suspended in the wake of deadly terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009. "Like everyone else in Pakistan, I am also disappointed (with the postponement of the series)," Whatmore said. "We were close to choosing the team but now Bangladesh not coming everything is finished which is a bit disappointing."
Whatmore, 57, played seven Tests for Australia and as coach guided Sri Lanka to their famous victory in the 1996 World Cup. "From my personal view, having (been) born in Sri Lanka and lived through the civil war there, and now staying in Lahore I have faced no security problems," he said. He also coached Bangladesh to the Super Six Stages of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.
"I have not seen very many areas in Lahore and if I know some other areas I would like to go there, but I have faced no problems here," he said. Under Whatmore, Pakistan last month won the Asia Cup, also involving world champions, India. "It is very difficult for a nation so rich of cricket history to keep the game going without being able to host international teams," said Whatmore of Pakistan, who have been forced to play their "home" series on neutral venues, mostly in United Arab Emirates, since the Lahore attack.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) voiced hope on Monday that its Bangladeshi equivalent, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) would appeal against the court order. "PCB is hopeful that BCB will leave no stones unturned to get the stay order vacated," said a statement from the Pakistan board. PCB said it has asked the BCB to send copies of the court orders and any appeal documents that are lodged.
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