August 25, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-us-Sani 26

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KARACHI, Aug 24: Pakistan captain Rashid Latif says that Karachi is a safe place to play cricket and urged foreign teams to visit here.

The city hosted its first match in almost 16 months after Pakistan were forced to play a triangular tournament in Kenya last year and then a Test series against Australia in Colombo and Sharjah, after Steve Waugh’s team refused to tour the country citing security fears in the aftermath of two bomb blasts last year.

“Karachi is my home town where we move freely even in the days when there was trouble. Now the situation has changed as far as security is concerned,” he told Dawn on Sunday at the end of the first Test against Bangladesh.

“I can’t understand why foreign teams prefer to avoid playing here because we always ensure top and foolproof security arrangements whenever there is a match.

“Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and deserves to host international matches on a regular basis. The crowds here are very knowledgeable who understand the game.

“Whenever there is a game, especially a one-day match the stadium is jampacked because the people here want to see visiting teams in action,” Rashid said.

The Pakistan skipper appealed to the New Zealand team to play here since other teams have shown willingness to visit Karachi.

“We just played Bangladesh here and the South Africans will also play shortly. That is a clear indication of life here is not in danger,” he declared.”I would to request New Zealand to reconsider their decision and let the public of this city watch them in action.”

Rashid pointed out that international cricket will not survive if Pakistan also decide to pull out of matches at places away from home just because there is a security fear.

“Suppose if there is security problem in Dhaka or Colombo or for that matter at any other venue and if we then decide not to play in those places what will be the repercussions?” he asked. “International cricket can’t be run like this. Sport is a great source of bringing people of different cultures together and bond new friendship.”

Commenting on the match, Rashid was all praise for Bangladesh, and said he spent a sleepless night after the third day’s play.

“I was very tense when Bangladesh had reached 163 for three on Friday evening and hardly slept that night,” he revealed. “It was the worst night I had during my 12-year career. Had they been successful in batting another session the match could have gone in their favour.”

Rashid gave full credit to Bangladesh for taking the Test into the fifth day. “Yes, there is definite improvement in their play. And as I said earlier, they will give us tough time in the remaining matches.”

Dav Whatmore, the Bangladesh coach, hoped his side move ahead after recent improved performance. “I hope the standard created is sustained and the guys lift themselves.”

The Australian, who took charge of the team in June, said he believed a better batting performance in the Karachi Test could have created more pressure on Pakistan.

“With a little bit of careful batting it could have been a very good Test instead of a good one, The twist came when we lost Habibul Bashar and then those five quick wickets,” he conceded.