Pakistan team all set for India despite security fears
Shahid A Hashmi
20 January 1999
KARACHI, Jan 20 (AFP) - Pakistani cricketers are preparing to embark
on a high-profile tour of India despite security concerns triggered by
threats and demonstrations of anger by Hindu fanatics.
``The common cause for us is to revive the Pakistan-India series and
for that both the governments have mutually decided cricket should go
on,'' Pakistan captain Wasim Akram told AFP.
The Pakistan team will leave Lahore Thursday for New Delhi, cricket
officials said.
Pakistan's first Test tour across the border in 12 years was put in
jeopardy after Hindu militants dug up the pitch in New Delhi earlier
this month. On Monday they ransacked the Indian cricket board
headquarters in Bombay.
``We are in a positive frame of mind and are going as ambassadors of
goodwill. I have repeatedly said a handful of people are against
Pakistan-India ties but I hope cricket will be the ultimate winner,''
Wasim said.
Pakistan will play two Tests, besides taking part in a limited overs
three-nation tournament also involving Sri Lanka.
Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee has sought to assure
adequate security.
The authorities have reportedly beefed up arrangements after the
display of violence by supporters of the Hindu militant Shiv Sena
party which has vowed to disrupt the tour in protest over Pakistan's
backing for Moslem separatists in Kashmir.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent a special security envoy to
assess the situation and he gave the green light for the tour after
assurances from the Pakistani ambassador and Indian authorities.
The PCB Monday appointed former Pakistani foreign secretary Shahryar
Khan as the manager of the team. Board officials said he was chosen
because of the cirumstances surrounding the tour.
Captain Wasim however did not hide lingering fears.
``I have told the boys to forget all that happened and just concentrate
on the game but it will be difficult. I can't say what is in store for
us in India but let's hope all would end well,'' he said.
Several past Test stars have called for cancelling the tour and many
consider it a high-risk venture.
``When we are so much unwelcome there, where is the need to go ahead
with the tour? I can't understand what they will achieve,'' said former
chief selector Hasib Ehsan.
Pakistan coach Javed Miandad was among those favouring a postponment
of the tour after the Delhi pitch vandalism.
``We are going there after our government ordered us and I hope the
tour will help foster goodwill among the peoples of the two
countries,'' Miandad said.
``The peoples in Pakistan and India have many things in common, so I
hope they will realise that. Cricket is for people and not for
miscreants,'' Miandad said, voicing the hope that the series would lead
to improved ties.
``This is not the last time we are playing, now after this series they
will come and I hope it will go on without break,'' he said.
The Pakistan captain and coach were confident the team would pull off
a series win like Pakistan did in 1986-87 beating India 1-0 in the
five match series.
``I am confident we will again beat India in India and having the
confidence in my players I am saying this, while fully knowing it is
hard to beat them in their den,'' Wasim said.
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