Cricket takes the first hit after Mumbai attacks

New Delhi, Nov 30: India is likely to take the cricket route to launch its first offensive against Pakistan as a fall-out of the Mumbai terror attacks. Cricketing ties have often been the first casualty whenever relations between India and Pakistan soured, and could nosedive again.

Even as government sources said that India's tour to Pakistan next month is almost certain to be called off, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials said they are waiting for a message from the government.

The sources also ruled out possibility of India playing the series at a neutral venue as proposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

It has been a practice in the past for the government to send security experts to go over and assess the situation before any formal clearance.

It is well-known that many of our senior cricketers are reluctant to tour Pakistan. Either way, India-Pakistan cricketing ties are certain to take a hit for sometime.

It also raises doubts over Pakistani teams coming to India even for events like the Indian Champions League (ICL) and it remains to be seen how it will impact Pakistani players currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Lahore Badshah led by Inzamam-ul Haq have been prominent in the ICL World series, while the Champions League of IPL was to feature Sialkot Stallions.

The ICL World Series, which was in progress, was called off after the terror attacks.

The Champions League due to start on Dec 3 has been also postponed.

There have been talks on the possibility of neutral venues, but even that is unlikely, officials said. In the past India often desisted from sending teams to even off-shore venues. The Indian government in the aftermath of the Kargil War refused to clear Indian teams to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board in recent times has maintained that their country is safe for players.

However, no country has toured Pakistan for Tests this year due to security concerns. Australia cancelled their Tour earlier this year and then the Champions Trophy was 'postponed'.

There have been only four Tours, two in either country, since the resumption of cricketing ties between the two countries after the Kargil War in 1999.

The last India-Pakistan series was in India in 2007-08 and before that India visited Pakistan in 2005-06. Before that India went to Pakistan in 2003-04 and Pakistan came over in 2004-05.

Pakistan played a two-test series in India in 1998-99, which was the first series between the two in 10 years after Krishnamachari Srikkanth-led India's visit to Pakistan in 1989-90.

The upcoming Indian tour to Pakistan in Jan-Feb 2009 was to feature three Test matches, five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match. The series was scheduled from Jan 6 to Feb 9.

--IANS