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Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya dismissed any security concerns and said his players felt at home after his side became the first international team to visit Pakistan since Sept 11 terrorists attacks in the United States.

"We don't see any problems here. The two boards have discussed all the issues and we trust them," the flamboyant opener told Dawn at Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan had to cancel five major international events in the aftermath of Sept 11 attacks in Washington and New York. New Zealand cricketers returned from Singapore, Champions Trophy hockey was shifted to Holland from Lahore, Pakistan Open squash was postponed, the seven-nation SAF Games were put-off and the West Indies refused to travel to Pakistan but fulfilled their international commitment in Sharjah.

"We have never faced any problems coming to Pakistan. We were ready to come for five one-dayers [in October last year] but the tour didn't materialize. We don't see any problems and feel just like being at home," Jayasuriya, who led Sri Lanka to victory in the three-Test series in 2000, said.

Jayasuriya didn't blame New Zealand and the West Indies for cancelling their tours to Pakistan saying the non-Asian countries didn't understand the Asian culture and situations. "We the Asian and the rest think differently. The Asian boards enjoy different relationship and therefore, we are in more side of helping each other," Jayasuriya said.

Australia and the West Indies also forfeited their 1996 World Cup matches in Sri Lanka when they refused to travel citing security concerns. However, a combined team from Pakistan and Indian played a festival match to compensate for the losses and crowd dejection.

"That's precisely why specially the Sri Lankan board wants to support Pakistan at this moment. When we had a crisis [in 1996], both India and Pakistan came to our support. "That's exactly why we are here because we want to help and support Pakistan," Jayasuriya said.

Sri Lanka's Australia coach Dav Whatmore also brushed aside security fears. "Honestly, there is not a problem. The team is very glad and we are pleased to be here to participate in the Asian Test Championship final which is not a neutral venue by the way," he said.

"We are happy to come and support Pakistan. And here we are and let's hope we have a good game," Whatmore, in his second term with the Sri Lankans, said. Whatmore said had there been any concerns, their board would not have placed them in a position of anything other than safety.

Whatmore, however, refused to comment if this tour of Sri Lanka would clear road for New Zealand to reschedule their tour between April 20 and May 18 and Australia go-ahead with their proposed visit in October.

"I don't want to be drawn into answering that question. What I would like to say is that Sri Lanka are here playing this Test match and we are very happy to do that. But I wouldn't like to comment on decision made by any other cricket board," Whatmore said.

The Australian agreed that the championship had been devalued after India refused to take part and admitted that the debate would continue on whether actually any of Sri Lanka or Pakistan were the real Asian champions.

"What you have said is a statement of facts that India hasn't participate. And it does devalue the event to a point. But from time to time you have situations like this. "But what's important is that the Asian Test Championship created only a few years back and is an interesting concept is being played," he said.

© Dawn