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India in Pakistan 2008-09

Pakistan announce India tour itinerary

Cricinfo staff

September 23, 2008

Comments: 21 | Text size: A | A

India will go ahead with their tour of Pakistan early next year despite last weekend's bomb blast at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. India will arrive on January 4, and will play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 international, as planned in the original official itinerary approved by both boards.

Top Curve
India in Pakistan 2008-09 - Tour schedule
  • January 4: Arrival in Karachi
  • January 6-8: Three-day warm-up match, Hyderabad
  • January 13-17: First Test, Karachi
  • January 21-25: Second Test, Rawalpindi
  • January 29-February 2: Third Test, Lahore
  • February 6: First ODI, Faisalabad
  • February 8: Second ODI, Lahore
  • February 11: Third ODI, Rawalpindi
  • February 14: Fourth ODI, Multan
  • February 17: Fifth ODI, Karachi
  • February 19: Only Twenty20 international
Bottom Curve

"India will play a Test and a one-day international in Rawalpindi because the itinerary was approved by India before the Islamabad blast," Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told AFP. "We hope normalcy returns by the time India tours us."

He also stressed that Rawalpindi was one of the most important venues in Pakistan. "We have recently renovated the stadium in Rawalpindi, and hope when India tours us all will be well."

The 47-day tour will begin with India playing a three-day warm-up match at Hyderabad's Niaz Stadium, starting on January 6 against a yet-to-be-named side. The Tests are to be played in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore while Faisalabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan and Karachi will host the one-dayers. Karachi will also stage the Twenty20 game.

The Indian team stayed at the Marriott Hotel on their last two visits in 2003-04 and 2005-06, and also played a Test and a one-dayer in Rawalpindi in 2004 and a one-dayer in 2006.

In 2006, Pakistan won the three-Test series 1-0 while India clinched the one-day series 4-1.

Comments: 21 
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Posted by Nrao786 on (September 24 2008, 12:05 PM GMT)

Its unfortunate, that some Indians prefer to think of the old days rather than look forward when analyzing the decision taken by the BCCI. No one understands the politics of South Asia like the inhabitants. The decision to tour goes beyond cricket, it should be seen as another CBM - towards building a peaceful future. If history has shown one thing all countries rise and fall coupled with changing maps. Would India's progression remain if Pak becomes unstable?? The decision to tour cannot help guarantee security in the region but can help to win hearts and minds - so people in Pak do not feel isolated in their fight for a better future. To compare the BCCI's decision to that of Eng, Aus or SAF would not be logical.....

Posted by Skywalker1977 on (September 24 2008, 10:37 AM GMT)

Bombings in Pakistan are a different proposition than the bombings in India which is shown by the Australian decision to go ahead with its India tour. Its not always about the money. With the sense of public security the touring sides have in their own countries, they would have preferred not to tour had they not been convinced about the scenario in India as they were in the case of Pakistan. Its amazing that a truck with 1000 kg of explosives roamed around in Islamabad and no one had a clue about it and it targetted a 'secure' zone and killed people inside these 'zones'. I am sure the PCB and the Pakistan government (which looks totally out of sorts) will give in the best security for the team. If any accidents happen, Pakistan will forever be a no-go zone for any cricketing nation. I also do hope that this bonhomie between the Indian and the Pakistani cricket boards comes to an end soon where players are just treated as sacrifical lambs by the BCCI.

Posted by haroon.choudery on (September 23 2008, 23:43 PM GMT)

The Indian Cricket Board made a very smart and logical decision. The rest of the cricketing world looks at Pakistan as a minefield and that it is guaranteed that they will be killed during their visit. I strongly disagree with those beliefs and definitely support India in their decision. I am not being bias just because I am a Pakistan fan, but I believe that this decision will send a message out to the rest of the world explaining to them that "Pakistan is not as dangerous as you think it is!!!". So hopefully, this series will proceed, and Pakistan wins.

Posted by BangaloreKid on (September 23 2008, 21:26 PM GMT)

I absolutely don't know how to react to this. On the one hand I understand the need for Pakistani fans to get some international cricketing action. They deserve it and I am all for that. However, all the latest hotel bombing, I don't know how the players feel. The good byes they say to their family before leaving this time might have a different feel to it. When you have a 1000 or whatever ton bomb exploding leaving such a big crater and just blowing through a high security zone, you just don't feel that much secure anymore. Also, I am not sure, that if they are attacked, that there will not be a huge collateral damage to Pakistani citizens who are providing them heavy security cover. I was for them visiting before the latest bombing and I am not sure how an average Pakistani feels about this.

Posted by gulgula on (September 23 2008, 20:23 PM GMT)

I will be happy if countries refuse coming to India in the light of recent bomb blasts. India is not a safe place anymore, whatever be the reason.

Posted by Dhumper on (September 23 2008, 19:41 PM GMT)

I'm surprised that many Indians have commented negatively about visiting Pakistan next year. First of all, would you say Pakistan or any other country should not visit India because of the recent New delhi bombings?? How about Jaipur and other constant bomb explosions going around in India and yet you think it's OK to visit India?. Admitting the fact that Pakistan is in a much worse situation, we still have to see the broader picture and with this new wave of friendship going across borders, I'm delighted to see that Inidan board has taken the right decision. Second, not many people, specially majority of the people in the west who doesn't know much outside their conutry, doesn't realize the fact that the main target for these bombings are mainly American soldiers and Pakistani security personnel. Even in recent Marriott bombing, the main target was the 5 American soldiers staying at the hotel. No Inidan would be harmed in Pakistan as we all love cricket.

Posted by mjanjua on (September 23 2008, 19:41 PM GMT)

Well I think India have taken a positive and bold decision. This decision is equally good for cricket and Pakistan. India have faced SEVEN BOMB blasts in one day so does that mean, Indian Cricketers would stop living in India? Recently there was an explosion in India before Australia were to land in India and Australia went ahead with the tour. I don't see a reason countries panicking to visit Pakistan as the situation is the same all over the world.

Posted by ASH_76 on (September 23 2008, 19:41 PM GMT)

Amazing how the Pakistani fans are so neutral and diplomatic in their approach when addressing India, oh and so grateful on how accommodating they are. Indian fans forget that it was the games between the two countries that attracted so many viewers that brought alot of attention from the rest of the cricketing nations who also want to capitilise. I really hope the tables turn on India and Co and one day Pakistani fans can turn around and determine where they wanna play! PS Pakistan is a dangerous place with the recent bomb blast but over the last three months India have had 8 bomb blasts and Pakistan 1 so which is the more dangerous place!

Posted by Cricdish on (September 23 2008, 18:53 PM GMT)

I don't understand why India's cricketers are the sacrificial lambs. If a place is dangerous for Australia, South Africa, England, New Zealand & West Indies, it is dangerous for India. India & Pakistan have been at war for over 60 years now, in one form or the other. India has been a victim of terrorist attacks launched by/assisted by Pakistan-based terrorist groups. A year ago when South Africa pulled out of a triangular in Sri Lanka, India played on. The BCCI seems to believe Indian cricketers' lives are less important. It's so stupid to say that terrorist groups have never attacked a cricket team. England & South Africa would have stayed at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad which was bombed last weekend if the ICC Champions Trophy was in progress. As for the India v Pakistan series being played far too often, I guess the frequency will end up being fine tuned over a period of time. Then again, if India does manage to win against Pakistan repeatedly, I'm for playing twice a year! :)

Posted by truthspeaker on (September 23 2008, 17:42 PM GMT)

It is dangerous to tour Pakistan and I am not sure why the BCCI wants to take a risk with its players - As an Indian I always wonder why India is so considerate to Pakistan even at the risk of peril to its players - It is time the citizens of India gets to vote whether the team should play in Pakistan or not - OR better yet, its players should decide Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England all are wise and know the real issues in Pakistan and hence avoid traveling there - BCCI will never learn

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