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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) failed to show national character following May 8 suicidal bombing in Karachi which resulted in cancellation of the second and last Test between Pakistan and New Zealand.

While the whole nation was still in a state of shock, the PCB got down to assess its gains and losses and implications on future international fixtures schedule.

Of all the persons, the PCB high-ups started speculating on the tri-nation series and the Australian team's tour in August. So much so that they even expressed their opinion of holding the series outside Pakistan - either in Sharjah, Dhaka or Tangiers.

As things stand today one doubts that New Zealand will return in August for the three-nation one-day tournament. The same can be said about Australia who are more fussy about minor details of their tour programmes when visiting the sub- continent especially Pakistan.

Australia in fact immediately picking threads from PCB Chief Lt Gen. Tauqir Zia's statement have suggested of a possible series in Tangiers,

The whole question is what is the objective of a Test series between two countries. It is to promote the game and create recreation to the people of the two countries involved in the competition. The very idea of a Test series on neutral ground defeats the very ethics of Test cricket. If it is played on foreign soil the whole purpose is defeated.

Who is going to benefit by such a competition. The ICC, the parent body too has shown its inclination on projecting the Pakistan-Australia series in Tangiers. From where has this venue emerged as a Test centre. Morocco is a country, as big as California, and there is no history of cricket having ever been played there.

It may provide an opportunity to manipulators as it will hardly have any local following. Whatever the developers of Tangiers may have in their mind does not concern Pakistan as long it does not involve itself. When the Sharjah venue was established Pakistan had played a very supportive role. But it was Pakistan which suffered most because its players were accused of involvement in match fixing and Pakistan had to work really hard to improve its image but some players had to be punished for their alleged involvement in the matter.

So it will be better if PCB makes a calculated move and takes a safer course. Over and above all this, the strongest point is, why the PCB should at all agree for a neutral venue. Is the present PCB set up not sure that the present Government will handle the situation and control terrorism.

Why is the PCB so concerned about its financial constraints . Are they running the economy of the country from the cricket funds? If the PCB shows any intention of arranging the series at Dhaka, Sharjah or Tangier, it will create doubts in the minds of foreign investors who will shy away and will have sound reasons to tell the Government of Pakistan of the law and order situation.

The reason for going through the series at some neutral ground too does not hold water. The PCB chief said that with the 2003 World Cup round the corner, PCB cannot afford to keep the cricketers starved of international exposure.

Being a Pakistani, I would say " To hell with the World Cup". First it is Pakistan and then anything else. Sri Lanka had been suffering worst kind of terrorism but it never compromised on national issues. Despite worse conditions Sri Lanka won the 1996 World Cup. Sri Lanka never buckled down on national issues and ICC and every country had to accept their principled stand.

It is a shame that PCB cannot take a firm stand on the petty issue of a tri-nation tournament or a Test series against Australia. Fine the PCB bank balance will be depleted as it has unnecessarily increased its expenditure on paraphernalia but according to the PCB chief, hosting of matches on foreign soil is hardly financially viable. If the financial gain is not there then there is all the more reason that Pakistan should refrain from shifting its domestic tour to a foreign country.

The only beneficiary from the whole drill which was started by Pakistan could be none other than the CBFS. If the PCB wants to support them by going out of its way, it is a different matter.

It is time that the Government should step in and set up a code of conduct for all institutions to function within a framework. Nobody should be allowed to take any step which is against the national interest, intentionally or unintentionally. One hopes that the PCB will review the whole situation and revise its decision in the national interest.

© Dawn