Security assurances strengthen tour chances (25 November 1998)

25 November 1998

Security assurances strengthen tour chances

By Our Sports Reporter

KARACHI, Nov 24: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are now keen to send a team to India for their first full tour in 12 years after receiving security assurances.

"As a cricket board chairman, I would certainly like to see Pakistan honour all its commitments. In the backdrop of these assurances, I think the tour would and should take place," PCB chairman Khalid Mahmood said from Lahore on Tuesday.

Khalid Mahmood said it was an encouraging development "from the highest authorities in India. Security is the utmost priority of any institution and we also feel that our players should be guaranteed full security.

"With these assurances coming from top Indian leadership, I think it has brightened the chances of Pakistan travelling to India," said Mahmood.

However, the chairman of the board said so far his counterparts have not approached his organization.

"We have not received the venues where the matches will be played," he said, adding: "Naturally, we also have to seek clearance from our government. But that can only be done once we get the list of the venues."

Pakistan are scheduled to leave for New Delhi on Jan 21 for three Tests and five one-day internationals. Tentatively, the matches have been fixed at Calcutta, Bangalore, Madras, Mohali, Cuttack and Kanpur.

Majid Khan, the chief executive of the cricket board, said he never had any doubts that the tour would not go ahead. "But now, the visit has been stamped after Indian premier's statement.

"If the Indian Prime Minister is promising security to the players, that removes all doubts about Pakistan's tour of India." Majid added that Pakistan's tour would revive cricket between the two countries. "The two boards had decided to make reciprocal tours after every two years. This visit will open gates for future tours," he said.

Majid, however, said it would like some relaxation in the visa formalities for the Pakistani fans to travel to India. "It will improve the relations between the two countries."

Pakistan's last full tour of India was in 1987 when Imran Khan's men won the five-Test series 1-0 and six one-day international series 5-1.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)