'The sense of anger in Pakistan is understandable' - Michael Atherton tears into ECB for their withdrawal from PAK tour

Former England cricketer and current commentator Michael Atherton has lambasted the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for their decision to withdraw from the Pakistan tour this year. Atherton opined that if the ECB had stated ‘security’ as the reason behind the withdrawal, it is at least understandable.

Adding that the ECB has stated Covid-19 fatigue as the reason, the 53-year-old Atherton feels that the ECB has forgotten what the Pakistan players went through when they toured England when the pandemic was raging. Atherton even said that Pakistan saved the sport from a financial catastrophe in England last year.

Atherton further stated that the death rates in England were the third highest in the world last year, but still Pakistan went ahead and toured England.

“If security advice is the reason for the cancellation, that would be totally understandable, but to cite Covid fatigue, effectively, is to have a short memory of what touring teams, not least Pakistan, went through in England last summer at the height of the pandemic, so helping to save the professional game from financial catastrophe.

At the time of Pakistan’s arrival last year, Covid death rates in this country were the third highest in the world, more than 150 times the rate in Pakistan. Still Pakistan came, keeping who knows how many professional cricketers and support staff in their jobs,” wrote Atherton for the times.co.uk.

Ramiz Raja has spoken about the harsh lesson he has learnt: Michael Atherton

Michael Atherton further added that the sense of anger in Pakistan is understandable, and added that the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja has already spoken about learning a harsh lesson from England’s abrupt withdrawal. Atherton concluded by stating that it is hard to blame Pakistan at this juncture.

“The sense of anger and betrayal in Pakistan is real and understandable. Ramiz Raja, the new chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, is a former cricketer rather than an administrator and therefore talks a player’s language. He has been refreshingly blunt and has talked of learning a harsh lesson where England are concerned.

“Already the board there is making contingency plans around England’s planned tour next year. They do not expect England to travel, despite the commitment, and have lost any trust and faith in them. It is hard to blame them,” concluded Atherton.