By Sam Lienert
April 19th 2009 @ 12:03am
Related coverage
Aussies on edge, but confident of UAE security
Of numerous comeback stories in Australia’s series against Pakistan starting next week, none match the significance of the return to cricket of the Pakistan team itself.
The five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 game in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be the first international matches played by Pakistan since last month’s attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore, which resulted in the deaths of eight people and injuries to seven players.
The incident caused shock around the world and Cricket Australia (CA) operations manager Michael Brown admits cricketing bodies are now “on edge” when they prepare for international tours.
But despite that apprehension, Brown says the process for ensuring security ahead of the Australian team’s arrival in Dubai on Sunday have been no different to previous tours.
“Obviously it has an effect because it was a defining moment in world sport,” Brown said on Friday.
“But it’s no different to what we’ve done any other time.
“We have a very simple philosophy that the safety and security of our players and staff is paramount and wherever we play in the world we have a number of protocols we follow to make sure we are looking after the safety and security of our players.”
Brown said CA had worked closely with their Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) counterparts, “who understand completely the issues because they’ve got a team as well”.
Brown was involved in a pre-tour visit, in which Australian cricket officials helped map out a security plan in consultation with the PCB, security staff at the match venues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and at the team hotels, UAE police and their own security experts.
They have also been in regular communication with the federal government to be updated on any potential threats.
“We’re all on edge because of what’s happened,” Brown said.
“But it’s not (because we’re playing) Pakistan – it’s not in Pakistan, it’s in another country – but we’re concerned wherever we are.
“So that level doesn’t really alter, whether it’s England, South Africa, Pakistan, it’s relevant to the country that you’re going to and obviously when teams come (to Australia) we do the same.
“But the UAE authorities have been nothing short of outstanding in their support.”
Even before the Lahore incident, concerns over safety in Pakistan have made it difficult for the Pakistanis to attract visiting teams to their country.
Australia was originally meant to play in Pakistan last March, but postponed that tour and then rescheduled it to the neutral location of the UAE because of their unwillingness to go to Pakistan.
Along with having their Test series against Sri Lanka forced to an abrupt halt last month, Pakistan have also had scheduled series against Bangladesh, the West Indies and India suspended or cancelled in recent times.
“What’s really important here is that our view quite simply is it’s not the Pakistan cricketers’ problems the things that are happening in their country at a political level or terrorist level,” Brown said.
“Cricketers want to play cricket, the same as us, we play against them in ICC tournaments and they’re due here this summer, which is fantastic.
“We’re due to play them and because of the issues there we had to move the series, so we’re actually looking forward to playing cricket against them, it will be great.”
Australia are also looking forward to being involved in the first international match at the 30,000-seat Dubai Sports City stadium on Wednesday night, which Brown labelled an “outstanding” venue.
It is part of an enormous new sporting precinct, which also includes golf courses, stadia for other sports and cricket academies.
Adding significance to the series for Australia, Andrew Symonds makes his return after disciplinary issues, while Shane Watson, Stuart Clark and Shaun Marsh are on the comeback from injury and paceman Brett Lee could join the team late in the series if he proves his fitness.
For Pakistan, speedster Shoaib Akhtar returns from injury.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
