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| September 19, 2003 | Friday | Rajab 21, 1424 |
South Africa confirms Pakistan tour with conditions
JOHANNESBURG, Sept 18: South Africa will go ahead with their tour of Pakistan on condition that the country’s authorities follow their stated security plan, the United Cricket Board (UCB) said on Thursday.
The tour, which starts next week, was jeopardised after the UCB asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to amend the itinerary following advice from the South African government not to send the team to Karachi and Peshawar, two cities viewed as potential security risks.
The PCB refused, and a UCB security delegation visited Pakistan to assess player safety.
A joint media release from the UCB and the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) said the decision to tour had been taken after a meeting of the two organisations, team members, management and the security delegation.
“Following these discussions, the UCB and SACA are pleased to confirm that the South African team will indeed depart for Pakistan on Sunday,” the release said.
“The UCB has emphasised, however, that the continuation of the tour is specifically conditional upon the Pakistan authorities in fact implementing their stated security plan on an ongoing basis and also upon the security risk in Pakistan not escalating to the extent that it is unacceptable.”
The PCB had promised the South Africans the same level of security as that afforded to visiting heads of state.
South Africa are due to play three One-day Internationals and three Tests, at Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, between Sept 26 and Oct 27.—Reuters
Our Sports Reporter adds from Rawalpindi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday was delighted that South Africa would go ahead with their Sept 22-Oct 27 tour of this country after their security concerns were addressed.
“This is great news and it will be good for our cricket and good for the people,” cricket chief Tauqir Zia said.
A three-member advance party comprising Ben van Deventer of the South Africa Police Services, Bob Nicholls, UCB’s security consultant and commercial director Ian Smith had visited Pakistan last week to inspect security at the two venues.
Gen Tauqir on the other hand appreciated Pakistan’s security agencies. “They have done an excellent job and will continue to do so during the tour.”
Meanwhile South African captain Graeme Smith said that his team was aware of the major challenges they faced on the tour.
“We nevertheless intend to give 100 per cent commitment to our country in what may be difficult circumstances.”
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