Published: May 22, 2015, 08:22 PM (IST)
Edited: May 23, 2015, 11:33 AM (IST)
New Delhi: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed apprehensions about the prospect of Indian cricketers touring Pakistan in near future. The ending of a six-year long spell of isolation from international cricket may be seen as a major headway by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) but Gavaskar termed Zimbabwe’s tour to the country a “baby step”. ALSO READ: Congratulations, Pakistan! Hope the Zimbabwe series is start of a new chapter in your cricket history
Zimbabwe is the first Test side to tour Pakistan in six years since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team bus in March 2009. “Whatever the country’s Boards may decide, I am sure not many top Indian players would like to go there and play if they are asked today. After what happened in 2009, most players would refuse to tour the country,” Gavaskar told NDTV. READ: PCB should convince India to play in Pakistan: Shaan Shahid
Asked about the Zimbabwe tour that started today with a T20 international, he said, “It will be just a baby step. There are more steps required before it can say that international cricket is back in Pakistan.” READ: Saviour driver remembers 2009 attack
Gavaskar, though, insisted that it would be a huge thing for the Pakistani youngsters to see their cricketing heroes live in action. “It is good for the young Pakistanis to see their heroes play in front of their eyes in flesh and blood in the national colours,” the batting legend said.
The Sri Lankan cricket team attack took place in March 2009, when the bus carrying the cricketers, was fired upon by 12 gunmen, near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The cricketers were on their way to play the third day of the second Test against Pakistan. Six members of the Sri Lanka national cricket team were injured, while six Pakistani policemen and two civilians were killed.
