02 February 2004	Monday	10 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 1: Next month's cricket series between Pakistan and India will boost peace moves and improve bilateral ties between the south Asian nuclear rivals besides bringing the people closer, Pakistan cricket chief said.

"The bilateral relationship between the two countries has improved and this tour will further help in bringing people of the two countries closer," chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar Khan said.

India are scheduled to play a side game, three Tests and five one-day games on the tour, their first in Pakistan for 14 years.

India stalled all bilateral cricketing relations with Pakistan following an attack on Indian parliament in December 2001 and only allowed its team to compete against Pakistan in multi-national events like the World Cup.

In October last year, New Delhi lifted the ban in one of the confidence building measures that were part of recent peace process and gave permission to its team to undertake a tour to Pakistan.

The Indian team will get top security, equivalent to the one provided to heads of the state, Mr Khan said.

"A three-member Indian security team is due here after the three-day Eid festival to assess the situation, but I don't see any problem as people are anxiously waiting for the series," he said.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has changed the image of Pakistan to being a foreign friendly and tolerant nation, he said.

"The international view of Pakistan has gone through a difficult phase since 9/11. Foreign teams had refused to tour, foreign tourists had gone, diplomats had gone. But things have improved now with cricket teams touring our country," Mr Khan remarked.

Not only was the Indian cricket team coming, but a large number of the Indian public is also expected to witness the series in Pakistan, he said. -AFP