One year on from the events of September 11 and cricket remains mired in the problems left behind by the tragedy. Arguably, no other sport has been so badly affected.At first sight, last year’s attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center might not have seemed to have anything to do with the sport. But Pakistan’s position, on both the world and cricketing maps, rapidly changed that perception. Cricket had only just overhauled its international fixture lists, introducing the concept of a world league table based on home and away matches for the first time, when the attacks on New York and Washington took place.That 10-team league table, launched four months earlier, was immediately thrown into chaos as Pakistan, with its close ties to Afghanistan, suddenly became a much less appealing destination to the rest of the world’s players. New Zealand opted out of a three-test tour there a month after the attacks - when they did finally agree to tour in May, a bombing outside their Karachi hotel led to the trip’s premature end - before Sri Lanka decided against taking part in a one-day tournament.The West Indies, citing September 11 and concerns about tensions over disputed Kashmir, then refused to travel. Their series was subsequently switched to Sharjah at the start of 2002.Australia were the next to say no. A one-day series was switched from Pakistan to Kenya at the end of August and their forthcoming three-test meeting, due to start in October, has been split between Colombo and Sharjah.The International Cricket Council (ICC), however, accused in the past of providing less than inspired leadership, has worked quickly to try to lessen the problems, placating both Pakistan - even though no compensation package has been drawn up - and the players while looking to switch series to alternative venues. In truth, though, cricket has had to face problems of unwilling tourists and poisoned relationships for many years.India’s and Pakistan’s continuing dispute over Kashmir has led to the Indian government restricting matches with its neighbour - they have not played a test since 1999 - and is causing the ICC perhaps their biggest headache of all. The financial losses to both national cricket boards have been immense, with the game more popular and potentially more lucrative in Asia than anywhere else in the world.Australia’s players also refused to travel to Zimbabwe in March because of fears of political violence there. It was only six years ago that Australia and West Indies forfeited World Cup matches in Sri Lanka after a major bombing in Colombo blamed on the separatist Tamil Tigers. Only five years before that, South Africa was still in the international wilderness over apartheid. (Reuters)
