My condolences to the people of Pakistan and the families of the murdered policeman. Pakistan has to combat something bigger and frankly more powerful than we cricket supporters love of a great game.

My first year statistics teacher would take great umbrage at the logic in this statement.

I would also suggest there is empirical evidence to support the notion that Pakistan is one helluva place to visit. For instance, Pakistan makes the Forbes top ten list of dangerous places on the planet to visit. The journalist Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and executed in Pakistan. Newseek recently rated Pakistan as more dangerous than Iran. Not to mention the on and off war with India and its military dictatorship of some 40 on and off years.

Henry, it is not the gora who are the problem here. This is a real dangerous place and denying that would be a dangerous act in itself.

I fully appreciate the sympathies behind Geoff’s article, but I have to agree with dasilva’s simple rebuttal of the “zero risk” strategy. Just as the NZ cricketers in 2002 were following Geoff’s three rules, so too were the people at the Islamabad Marriott a month ago. Indeed, the original Champions Trophy schedule had international cricketers staying at that very hotel on that very night.

The best text that I read on the cancellation of the Champions Trophy was the following by Sambit Bal on cricinfo. I don’t think it requires any commentary:

“Living in the shadow of the bomb has become a way of life on the subcontinent, so much so that it would be impossible to carry on otherwise. But is it fair to expect the same level of detachment and equanimity from those accustomed to a different way of life? However exaggerated their fears may be, and however ill-informed the security advice may be, the allowance for a different perception must be made and respected.

After all, cricketers are neither diplomats nor soldiers; is it reasonable to expect them to put the game, and the misfortune of another cricket board, above concerns over their personal well-being? Many of these players are heroes on the field but few aspire to heroism in life outside it, and they shouldn’t be judged for it.”

So welcome Geoff, we are happy and humbled to have you in our midst.

You think the sort of people that blow up innocent civilians – women and children – holidaying in Bali or where will give baulk at blowing up these people because the play cricket?!?

Terrorists don’t just target politicians or authority figures. Australian cricketers as symbols of “the West”, of “capitalism” and of “heathens” (non-Muslims) make PERFECT targets.

I’m sorry – it gives me shudders – but it’s true.

I have no doubt that the terrorist will not target Australian Cricketers or any cricketers in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India etc.

However when New Zealand tour Pakistan early this decade was a bomb blast very near their hotel. The NZ cricketers then sore the horrors of the bomb blast that scarred some of the players which caused the tour to be cancel. The bomb wasn’t targeting the cricketers but that doesn’t mean that the players can’t be caught in the crossfire as New Zealand Cricketers were only a few metres from being directly affected by the bomb.

The question is not where the cricketers are being target by terrorist but how stable the country is and what is the chance of Australia being inadvertably caught up with the instability.

That’s for the ACB and ICC security delagation to determine. However saying that. If it is determine that the risk is minimum then players must be compulsory tour or risk losing central contract with the ACB. It shouldn’t be left to players to make personal judgement on security.

Appearing recently on Andrew Denton’s show ‘Enough Rope’, Imran Khan offered the view that terrorism is a battle of hearts & minds. This was his lead in to declare that Australian cricketers touring Pakistan would be 100 percent safe, because no terrorist, however crazy we may perceive him to be, would harm cricketers.

Because to harm cricketers would lead to loss of support among the cricket loving population, & thus, most importantly for terrorists, control of the peoples’ hearts & minds.

If someone as wise & sensible & practical & proven & revered as Imran Khan isn’t listened to, then we’re a very stupid human race (which I think we already are collectively).