New Delhi: Taking to Twitter Tuesday, British diplomat and the High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, posted a video to clarify that it was not his government’s decision to cancel the Pakistan tour for the upcoming cricket tournament in October but a call taken by the England and Wales Cricket Board or the ECB that he said is independent of the government. But that wasn’t enough to pacify Pakistanis already simmering with anger after the withdrawal of the New Zealand cricket team from its tour earlier this month. The conspiracy theorists claiming a foreign hand behind these tour cancellations said that an upcoming deal between Pakistan and Argentina for fighter jets was the reason England had pulled out. Pakistanis hold the Five Eyes squarely responsible for ECB’s decision.
Aakhir main jeet cricket kee hogee #PakVsEng@iramizraja @TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/JNgOMcuD7Q
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) September 21, 2021
Pakistanis are also predicting the cancellation of Australia’s tour of their country early next year.
The main reason behind the cancellation of New Zealand & #England cricket team tour to #Pakistan is the upcoming deal with #Argentina for 12 JF-17 fighter jets.
Eye Five behind this decision & may be in future Australia cancel his tour to Pakistan as well. #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/OOupRMCGPO
— Faisal Rajput (@RanaFaisalPTI) September 21, 2021
Pak entered into a 664 Million US$ defence deal with Argentina (Sold 12 JF 17 Block 111) which UK told Pakistan not 2 do as both UK and Argentina fought for the Faukland Island in the past and according to UK, Argentina doesn't have any other enemy to use these jets except The UK
— Ahmed Imran ?? (@ImranTamo) September 22, 2021
‘Mujhe afsos hai’ (I have regrets) said Turner in the video he posted, saying like many cricket fans he too was upset about Britain cancelling its men’s and women’s teams’ tour of Pakistan. He clarified that the British High Commission supported the tour, did not advise against it on security grounds, and that the travel advice for Pakistan had not changed.
Turner said he would redouble his efforts to ensure England tours Pakistan in the second half of 2022.
“Main umeed karta hun (I hope) we will soon hear the roar of full cricket stadiums again. Aakhir mein jeet cricket ki hogi (In the end, cricket will be victorious),” said Turner.
The ECB Monday pulled out of its men’s and women’s tours of Pakistan, citing increased worries about travelling in the region. It also cited player fatigue ahead of the UAE T20 World Cup.
Reaction to Turner’s message
Pakistan, a cricket-crazy nation much like India, responded to Turner’s video in a divided manner.
While some stood behind Turner and said ‘Christian, tum aage badho, hum tumhaare saath hain’. Others told him not to ‘fool the people of Pakistan.’
Christian, tum aage badho, hum tumhaare saath hain. ?
— El Chopernos (@El_Chopernos) September 22, 2021
Don't make the people of Pakistan fool..we know the gloves handed have made the plan to first share fake threats with kiwis later after England will refuse to come Pakistan.we know this preplanned drama.your shamfule defeat in Afghanistan will be a legacy fr the world.
— Sher Al Waziri (@EngrsherpaoKhan) September 21, 2021
Among those who responded to Turner’s message was also Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, the Secretary General of Pakistan Awami Tehreek who said the decision was unfair to Pakistan and that Turner should not try to put a spin on it.
“Please don’t put a spin on this, High Commissioner. If there were no Security issues then what motivated the ECB to call off the trip? This is unfair to Pakistan & doesn’t serve the cause of Cricket. Irreparable damage has been inflicted upon CRICKET,” said Gandapur.
Please don't put a spin on this, High Commissioner. If there were no Security issues then what motivated the ECB to call off the trip? This is unfair to Pakistan & doesn't serve the cause of Cricket. Irreparable damage has been inflicted upon CRICKET.
— Khurram Nawaz Gandapur (@GandapurPAT) September 22, 2021
Some called Turner a hypocrite but there were also those who saw a real diplomat in him and commended him on his Urdu.
“Thanks dude. Not too shabby Urdu!”
Thanks dude. Not too shabby Urdu!
— Shoaib Butt (@ShoaibB56494144) September 21, 2021
“You sounded & looked genuinely sad about ECB decision. Thank you for all efforts.”
You sounded & looked genuinely sad about ECB decision. Thank you for all efforts ❤️
— Ali (@aura_fb) September 21, 2021
People also took joy in the fact that the decision to pull out of the tour had ‘Nothing to do with security -message loud & clear’. While others lamented about the fact that it was cricket that ultimately lost.
“This was a decision made by ECB based on concerns of player welfare. British High Commission did not advise against it on security grounds and travel advice for Pakistan has not changed.”
Christian Turner, British HC to PakistanNothing to do with security -message loud & clear https://t.co/Ylp1fqN42Z
— Kamran Muzaffer (@Krick3r) September 21, 2021
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)