Subcontinent countries must unite to fight terror - Intikhab

Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan coach, has said the IPL's move to South Africa, to avoid a clash with India's general elections which could have turned into a security nightmare for the national government, did not augur well for the future of international cricket in the subcontinent.

Intikhab said the only solution to saving the game in the subcontinent was for all South Asian Test-playing nations to unite and counter terrorism. "Things can change quickly in the region and I expect an improvement in security in the near future," Intikhab told Pakistan's Dawn. "And with a visible change, hopefully cricket will return to the region soon."

Javed Miandad, the former Pakistan captain, echoed Intikhab's sentiments. "After the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore obviously Pakistan cricket has been hurt badly," Miandad told PTI. "I think the Asian nations need to sit down together and come up with a joint strategy to provide security to touring teams that is acceptable to the ICC and its member nations. I just feel that India has to play a lead role in ensuring security issues don't kill the sport in the region."

But Miandad felt the IPL's move would not affect future tours in India since it was the biggest commercial market for the sport. "I don't think the ICC or its member countries can afford to not to play in that country for any reason. There is a lot of money involved."