July 18, 2007	Wednesday	Rajab 02, 1428

LAHORE, July 17: Michael Brown, a member of the Australian security delegation, currently examining the arrangements being made for the forthcoming tours of Australian ‘A’ and junior cricket teams to Pakistan, said so far the tour had been satisfactory.

Talking to reporters before leaving for Sheikhupura after inspecting the facilities here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday, Brown, who is General Manager Operations, Cricket Australia (CA), said the entire delegation was satisfied with all the facilities at the Gaddafi Stadium which had also hosted the 1996 World Cup final.

Brown said though their tour to Pakistan was a routine, it was an important one as it would provide them an opportunity to closely watch all the related facilities necessary for the security of the Australian teams due to visit Pakistan later this year.

“CA wants to facilitate its players to play without any trouble the world over and for which a safe and sound atmosphere around them is essential,” he asserted.

Brown said as the security delegation was focusing the Australian ‘A’ and junior teams’ tours to Pakistan, it had no programme to inspect the facilities in Karachi, since no match (of junior, ‘A’ teams) was allotted to that city.

“We will remain in touch with the Pakistani security officials to finalise the senior Australian team’s tour to Pakistan next year, while focusing on those cities where the (seniors’) matches are scheduled to be held,” he said.

A Lahore police official, ASP Nasir Ali Khan, briefed the Australian delegation about the security plan.

Later, the delegation also visited the Sheikhupura Stadium. The delegation, which arrived in Pakistan on Monday night, had left for Islamabad after one-day stay in Lahore.

On Wednesday, the delegation will depart for Mirpur, Azad Kashmir to inspect the facilities besides meeting the local police officials and will come back to Islamabad on the same day.

Next day, the Australians will visit KRL’s Diamond Cricket Ground and Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. In the afternoon, the delegation will have a meeting with the Interior Ministry officials before meeting the Australian High Commissioner at dinner.

On Friday, five members of the touring delegation will leave for Australia via Dubai while the sixth member Paul Marsh, CEO Australian Cricketers Association has to depart for the country via Bangkok.

Earlier, five members of the delegation arrived here on Monday night while the sixth official Daryl Foster joined them later.

Australia ‘A’ successfully toured Pakistan without facing any problems in 2005.