Hindu group threaten Pakistan players with physical violence

Cricket officials from both India and Pakistan have vowed that Pakistan's first tour to India for 12 years will go ahead despite direct action from Hindu party Shiv Sena.

Four were arrested for digging up the pitch after about 25 Shiv Sena activists stormed the New Delhi Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.

Jaya Bhagwan Goel, the head of Shiv Sena's Delhi unit, was adamant the party would do its utmost to disrupt the tour.

``Games are played between friends and not enemies. How can you play with a country that is bent on destroying you?'' Goel said.

``It is now for Pakistan to think about the safety of its players. Everything is possible in this charged atmosphere,'' he warned.

Meanwhile in Karachi the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday downplayed the digging up of the pitch, while Pakistan players said a handful of people should not be allowed to disrupt the team's tour.

Indian officials were adamant the damaged pitch will be fit for use in the first Test, starting on January 28.

Delhi cricket secretary Sunil Dev said: ``Cricket lovers all over India are waiting for this tour, and we will make sure it takes place. We cannot be taken to ransom by fanatics not interested in the game.''

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 Ahmed said.

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.

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

Players joined the 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.

He said: ``We are going there to better the relations between the two countries and I hope the Indian Government will not allow a handful of people to deprive cricket lovers of some action and tension packed cricket.''

``Both governments have given the go ahead for the tour and the Indian premier has been very keen to see the tour go through so it should go on.''

``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 player 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 Ejaz 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.''

Pakistan will arrive in India on January 21. Pakistan last toured India 12 years ago but pulled out of a one-day series with their near neighbours in 1991 and also cancelled two more in 1993 and 1994 because of security fears.

However, they played in India during the 1996 World Cup and the Independence Cup the following year without any incident.