January 8, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 23, 1422

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RAWALPINDI, Jan 7: Former West Indies cricket captain Clive Lloyd said that Pakistan had abundance of talent and that he was impressed with what he had seen.

Speaking at a reception hosted by the Rawalpindi Cricket Association (RCA) in his honour Monday, Lloyd said that most of the players he had worked with during his short stay were quite talented. “The need is to harness that talent.”

Lloyd who spent three days with the Pakistan junior team, which is preparing for the World Cup in New Zealand, said that the tournament would provide the players a good opportunity to learn. “By watching and playing alongside players from many other countries would help them in the long run.”

Lloyd hoped that “good sense prevails” and the West Indies tour of Pakistan for a Test and one-day series starting this month materialises.

The West Indies are reluctant to tour because of security fears following the prevailing tension between Pakistan and India.

But Lloyd, who is based in England, added that the West Indies should make a final decision this week.

“I do not see any security problems in Pakistan and I think the ICC (International Cricket Council) should tell the West Indies that conditions for playing cricket here are normal.”

“The PCB are giving them assurances and I hope that they are able to decide on it soon because there is little time left.”

Meanwhile, the President of Rawalpindi Cricket Association, Masood Anwar presented a souvenir to Lloyd, who thanked all the officials of the association for making his stay here comfortable as well as enjoyable.

During his stay here, he also spent a day each with budding cricketers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The West Indies great is now headed for the United States where he intends to help his son settle down. “He is into basketball and does not play cricket,” Lloyd said.