Postponement of CT is a body blow to Pakistan: Imran Khan

Lahore, Aug 26 (UNI) Alarmed by the postponement of Champions Trophy until October next year, cricket legend Imran Khan said game's control is in the wrong hands in the country which would further create trouble for Pakistan cricket.

''The postponement of Champions Trophy is a body blow to Pakistan but since the country is run by wrong people I see more trouble for cricket in the country,'' he said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday has hold the September's Champions Trophy until next year after South Africa boycotted the event over security fears, which was evoked after a series of blasts in the past few months which also trigerred Australia, New Zealand and England to withdraw from the tournament as well.

''The event is postponed until next year but if the current government trying to outdo Musharraf stays, I fear the situation could worsen rather than improve,'' said Imran, who now heads his own political party Tehrik-e-Insaaf Imran.

''It is not that we should not fight terrorism, but the way Musharraf led us into the war on terror by using gunship helicopters against our own people was fatal because as a blow-back peace, the economy and cricket have become casualties,'' he said.

The cricketer, who spearheaded Pakistan to their only World Cup title in 1992, further said the reluctance shown by foreign teams to tour the strife-torn nation over security was understandable as the situation is far from safe.

''Under the current situation when foreign investors are not willing to come to Pakistan, how can you expect foreign cricketers to travel to a country where we are fighting someone else's war?'' he added.

On the development of Pakistan cricket, Imran said, ''The way the outgoing chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Nasim Ashraf, spent funds for two years and now with the postponement of series after series, Pakistan cricket will soon run short of money.'' Australia also postponed their March-April tour of Pakistan over security fears and Pakistan's efforts to arrange fill-up series against India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand also fell through.

''Not just from the spectators' point of view but also funds wise, these cancellations and postponement have hit Pakistan cricket hard but I fear it will suffer more,'' he added.

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