Younus urges Asian effort to save cricket

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KARACHI: Pakistani captain Younus Khan Thursday urged India and other Asian cricket giants to pull together to allay security fears in the region and save the game on the sub-continent.

‘Cricket hit by security fears is no longer Pakistan’s problem alone… I think Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to unite in allaying security fears in the region,’ Younus told reporters.

He was speaking after receiving a gold medal for scoring an epic 313 against Sri Lanka in the Karachi Test in February – a series which was cut short following extremist attacks on the tourists in Lahore.

Gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan team bus and match officials, killing eight policemen and wounding seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.

The attacks exacerbated security fears in the region with Bangladesh postponing their home series against Pakistan and forcing the organisers of the lucrative Indian Premier League to move it to South Africa.

The Indian government said it could not provide additional security for the league because of national elections being held at almost the same time.

Younus said a joint effort would help all the Asian countries.

‘With the 2011 World Cup just two years away, a joint effort will be in every nation’s benefit because we have to save cricket in the region,’ he said.

Security fears have also cast serious doubt on Pakistan’s chances of hosting its share of matches in the World Cup 2011, for which India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are co-hosts.

Chances of Pakistan hosting any international cricket in the foreseeable future are slim.

Australia, who has not toured Pakistan since 1998, saw their series against Pakistan moved to United Arab Emirates (UAE) over safety fears.

Younus said security demands have increased since the Lahore attacks.

‘I am confident that Australia will play in the UAE,’ said the cricketer of the five one-day and a Twenty20 match series starting from April 22.

‘Australians have every right to be satisfied on security before touring.’

Younus, who took over as captain in February this year, said his young team needs motivation to play well.

‘We have to face a strong Australian team and I think we are up to the stiff challenge. We only need motivation and if we play just above our potential we can surprise the world champions,’ he said.

‘My triple century against Sri Lanka motivated the team to such an extent that we came close to winning the first Test against Sri Lanka and for that kind of motivation I look to four or five senior players.’

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