Pak vs Aus: Shifting ODIs to Lahore is politically motivated

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shifted the white ball series between Pakistan and Australia to Lahore from Rawalpindi and it is said to be a very politically motivated move and also shows a picture of what actually is going on in Pakistan. 

Federal Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed confirmed the news and said, due to political activities and scenario in country that have arised in recent times that can actually create more problems as many people are expected to reach Islamabad and Pindi in the coming weeks when the matches are scheduled which is 29th, 31st March and 2nd April (ODIs) and 4th April (T20). 

What gave rise to current situation

The current situations in Pakistan are not made in a day but instead the public agitation and pressure from opposition has been seen for a very time now on the existing Imran Khan led government and that has led to a mass movement which was followed by a no-confidence motion in parliament which made situations worse.

It also gave rise to the protests that were going on in country already and instead organized it, which is the reason of this shifting of the white ball series to comparatively safer region i.e., Lahore where Australian team played the third test too. Australian team has shown no retaliation for the same they in turn said it just mean less travel for the team which is acceptable in all circumstances. 

The tour of Australia is also very historically important as its first time in a decade any big team has come in Pakistan and played a whole series, last year New Zealand was there in Pakistan but it backed out just minutes before the start of actual series and was met by heavy criticism in Pakistan.

Australian tour however is untouched by any such incident or terror attacks except a suicide attack in Peshawar city. The strange political situation which gave rise to this is politically motivated and also an internal matter of Pakistan and till time this movement do not hamper the other team and whether or not the move was politically motivated is purely subjective. 

Published by: Shivani Bhalke

Edited by: Subbuthai Padma