Pakistan Cricket official cautious after Indian pitch dug up (7 January 1999)

7 January 1999

Pakistan Cricket official cautious after Indian pitch dug up

AFP

KARACHI, Jan 7 (AFP) - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Thursday downplayed the digging up of a pitch by Hindu extremists in New Delhi, while Pakistan players said a handful of people should not be allowed to disrupt the team's tour.

PCB Chief Executive Majid Khan said the team's tour to India was in no danger and would go ahead as planned.

"We are monitoring the situation and since the Indian government has given the clearance there are no fears," Majid was quoted as saying by PCB media relation officer Rafi Nasim from its Lahore office.

"It's a matter to be dealt by the Delhi Cricket Association," PCB Secretary Waqar Ahemd said as militants from the extremist Shiv Sena party vandalised the wicket at Ferozshah Kotla stadium.

Stressing he did not want to over-react, Waqar told AFP the problem of the pitch was a matter for the New Delhi Cricket Association.

"It's up to them to make the ground ready for the Test," the cautious PCB official said. He declined to go into details.

Pakistan is scheduled to play the first of the three Tests in the Indian capital starting from January 28 but Wednesday's incident seriously damaged Test prospects in New Delhi.

Local papers said both Waqar and Majid Khan were planning to visit India to monitor security arrangements in India.

Players joined th call saying the tour must continue.

"It's unsporting and the matter should be resolved around the table. People in India are keen on watching Pakistani players in action and no one should be allowed to disturb the tour," Pakistan vice captain Moin Khan said.

About security fears Khan said he had played with the junior and senior Pakistan teams in India and always felt like he was playing at home.

"I have never felt any security fear while playing in India but family members back home are always disturbed by the disturbing news in India ...," Moin said.

He said cancelling the tour would deprive fans in both countries of some good action.

Captain-designate for the tour Wasim Akram said the tour must go on and a handful of people should not be given a chance to disrupt it.

"We are ready to play, but now the ball is in the court of the Indian (Cricket) Board and they must ensure our safety," said senior member Salim Malik, who with Wasim Akram and Ejaz Ahmed is one of the three survivors of Pakistan's last tour to India in 1987.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif and batsman Ejaz Ahmed described the pitch vandalism as "lamentable."

"I think the tour must go on and if some people are once given a chance to disrupt the tour many threats will come in future," Latif said.

Ejaz said he had always liked playing in India. "I receive a lot of fan mail from India and people ask me why we do not play there. It's time now we counter such threats."

About 25 supporters of firebrand Hindu leader Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena party stormed New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla stadium, venue of the first Test, on Wednesday night and dug up the pitch. Four were arrested.

Source :: AFP