July 20, 2007	Friday	Rajab 04, 1428

KARACHI, July 19: Pakistan cricket officials on Thursday said they hoped a surge in violence will not affect upcoming tours by South Africa and Australia. Bomb blasts and attacks have left over 180 people dead in an apparent reaction to the army’s storming of the Lal Masjid, situated in Islamabad, earlier this month.

“We are preparing for all the tours and have no feelings that anyone has shown reservations or concerns,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director Operations Zakir Khan said. “An Australian security delegation is touring Pakistan and today they inspected Rawalpindi stadium and we have received no such (concerns) from South Africa,” Zakir added.

The six-man Australian delegation is here to assess security and facilities for their ‘A’ and Under-19 teams’ tours to Pakistan in September-October this year.

The Australian senior team is also due to tour Pakistan in March-April next year, their first visit to the country in ten years.

South Africa, due to tour Pakistan for two Tests and five One-day Internationals in September-October this year, have however expressed concerns over the situation in Pakistan. Cricket South Africa (CSA) General Manager Brian Basson told a newspaper that cricket bosses were worried about the situation in Pakistan but their tour was still on.

South Africa have confirmed a tour itinerary in which they play a Test in Karachi and a one-day match in Peshawar – both venues rejected by international teams in the recent past over security fears.

The PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf earlier this week brushed aside security reservations in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is as safe as Sydney and we are confident that our home series will not be affected. We still have time and hope things will settle down,” Dr Nasim said on Monday.

Foreign teams, on several occasions, have avoided playing in Pakistan in the wake of Sept 11, 2001 incidents.

The West Indies and Australia refused to tour Pakistan and only agreed to play their series at neutral venues. New Zealand were also forced to cut short a tour after a bomb blast near their team hotel in Karachi killed 14 people, including 11 French naval staff in May 2002.

South Africa also refused to play a Test in Karachi on their 2003 tour due to security fears in the wake of a bomb blast two weeks before their arrival.

India played a one-dayer against the host team at the National Stadium, Karachi in 2004 and also played a five-day Test match here last year. —Agencies