12 February 2004	Thursday	20 Zilhaj 1424

PESHAWAR, Feb 11: The governments of Pakistan and India are eager to see their cricket teams play each other, but a final decision on when, rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) , which in turn is awaiting report of its security team currently on country's tour.

"At the moment, I cannot say anything specifically, as we will also visit other cities during our stay in Pakistan, after which we will be in a position to say something about the security arrangements," said Ratnakar Shetty, one of the three members of the Indian security delegation which visited Arbab Niaz Stadium on Wednesday.

The delegation, which also includes Yashovardhan Azad and Amrit Mathur, went around different parts of the stadium, where the Indian team is expected to play a Test match.

The team was accompanied by senior police officials and officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who briefed them about the security measures to be taken during the match.

The delegation was told that the seating capacity at the media enclosures would be enhanced and nobody would be allowedto cross over the grills and enter the ground.

Head of the delegation Yashovardhan Azad, queried about the players' entry into the stadium and the ground and parking arrangements for the officials and the public.

The local officials informed the delegation that three gates would be used by spectators, whereas one had been exclusively reserved for the players. The delegation was told that the dressing room was safe and no one except the playerswould be allowed to enter it during the match.

To a query about total number of spectators, officials said that they had no idea and assured thatsome of the arrangements made at other venues would be replicated here to ensure foolproof security.

Mr Shetty told reporters that the purpose of their visitwas to schedule the series in the best possible manner.

"Onlyafter the report of security delegation,BCCI would be better placed to plan the itinerary in the best possible manner,"hesaid and added that the delegation wouldhold a meeting on Feb 15 after which the report would be finalized.

He appreciated the way they were given briefing by the city's police and their efforts to make better security arrangements. The delegation also called on NWFP Governor, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, who assured them that Peshawar was a peaceful city.

"Wewill extend our traditional hospitality tothevisiting team.The infrastructure at the stadium needs someimprovement, whichwill bedone in time," he said.