Babar Azam, Pakistan’s new ODI captain, has likened the challenge of facing down Covid-19 to the decade-long absence of international cricket in his country. Until final year, Pakistan were forced to play home internationals in another country on account of the 2009 terrorist attack and, with the prospect of matches being staged bottom closed doors because of the virus, he warned of the consequences when “youngsters are disadvantaged from watching their heroes live in action”.
More than two months since the escalation of the pandemic, cricket all over the world has been totally halted, with domestic events and international series cancelled or postponed indefinitely. The prolonged shutdown threatens a immense financial toll, with uncertainty over the T20 World Cup adding to concern approximately a drop in ICC revenue. In such circumstances, several boards are pushing tough to restart the game in empty stadiums following strict protocols on health and safety.
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“Whether the world will never be the same again, how can playing and watching be the same? Let’s all understand and quickly embrace this,” Babar said via a video call. “It’s ironic that we played our home cricket in front of nearly empty stadia from 2009-2019 and now the world is heading in that direction. While the players will wish to get additional motivation to perform in front of empty stadia, I fear for the growth and development of cricket.
“No youngsters attending matches, watching their heroes live in action will be a serious issue for me. I used to be a ballboy and got the motivation and inspiration by watching the Pakistan and South Africa Test in Lahore from arm’s length. I don’t see that taking place in the very close future. Pakistan, alternatively, had experience and managed to top the ICC Test Rankings, won the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy despite not playing any cricket at home. This is what makes Pakistan the most effective cricket playing nation. I think this would be the challenge for the world to match Pakistan’s behind-closed-door achievement.”
Pakistan are understood to have agreed in precept to touring England in the coming months, with the players promised a bio-secure surroundings from the moment they land in the country through a schedule of three Tests and three T20Is. Plans will entail flying the 25-28 man Pakistan squad into the United Kingdom on a chartered flight in early July and allocating them one venue as a base, where they’ll not only carry out their training and intra-squad practice games but also spend the mandatory two-week quarantine period put in place by the United Kingdom government for all visitors from outdoor the country.
The PCB has started discussions with the players approximately the proposal to trip to the United Kingdom, which has been a few of the worst-hit countries on this planet by the coronavirus pandemic. Pakistan’s go back and forth still depends on various factors, foremost among them how the United Kingdom continues to move slowly and gradually out of the lockdown imposed in the country since late March.
“Luckily, that decision-making is the responsibility of the Pakistan Cricket Board,” Babar said. “I have total faith and accept as true with in the PCB and I am self-assured before making any decisions, they’ll ensure the health and safety of their players isn’t compromised. I have read the PCB will take us into confidence. So, I am taking a look forward to that briefing session. At the end of the day, the surroundings must be protected and protected as no event or match is bigger than life.
“Honestly, my circle of relatives will be more worried than me but whether the PCB tells me that it’s protected to go, I can definitely trip. Look, you want to believe UK-related Covid-19 facts: cases reported and deaths. So, whether people are scared and worried approximately Covid-19, they’ll naturally be nervous traveling into a territory that has one of the most highest reported cases and casualties. But, at the same time, I totally understand and accept normal products and services also wish to renew.
“The difficult decision for the administrators is what’s the correct time to renew sport activities. Also, we still wish to realize what guidelines the United Kingdom government will supply with regards to foreigners’ trip and quarantine, etc.”