September 27, 2007	Thursday	Ramazan 14, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 26: South African skipper Graeme Smith on Wednesday played down the water-tight security arrangements while claiming it won’t be an obstacle for his side during the forthcoming series against Pakistan.

Addressing a crowded media conference a few hours after the large South African contingent — comprising 14 players and 13 officials including three security personnel — arrived in the metropolis, Smith pledged that his team was focussed for the series.

“We see it [the security] as one of the challenges on tours these days. Although I would be lying if I say that it won’t affect us. It does to an extent, but nowadays we have to live with it. The security has become part and parcel of international cricket in modern times,” said Smith.

“It is quite different back home. But it’s not the first time we are coming to Pakistan with this thing in the mind. We are realistic about it to be honest and must get use to it,” he remarked. “We have security men travelling with us round the world and it’s something we have come to terms with. The security [in Pakistan] is also fantastic and above all, we trust the people on the job and that allows us to go out there and focus our attention on cricket.”

The 26-year-old said it was not the first time he had come to Karachi.

“As a 17-year-old, I played here [with South Africa under-19 squad] and found the place very nice and vibrant. But those were different times then. Touring Pakistan itself provides the players with a big challenge because of the conditions in the subcontinent. The difficult part right now is to switch the mindset to Test cricket after a lot of one-day and Twenty20 stuff.”

Smith, however, was philosophical about the impending task of playing Pakistan.

“It’s always tough for any side to play Pakistan who are difficult to beat in their own environment. But we are ready for the challenge with a squad that has a nice blend of youth and experience. Seven of the guys also toured here four years ago.”

“There are some fine young players for whom this would be a learning experience. I’m sure they will be up to the challenge of playing here and are looking forward to get acclimatize during the three-day tour opener from tomorrow,” the skipper hoped.

He also confirmed that tourists would use the warm-up match at the NBP Sports Complex to give all the 14 players a feel of the conditions.

“This game is important in the sense that we go straight into the Test series after this. We’ll be using the occasion to give all players a chance to play in match-playing conditions.”

Smith expected Paul Harris, the solitary spinner in the Proteas squad, to benefit from bowling here.

“He has prepared very hard for this tour. I’m optimistic that Paul would relish the conditions in Pakistan. He’s an important part of our team and I’m sure he will deliver on the tour.”

The South African captain singled out Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul as the real threats for his team. “All of them are very fine bowlers. Danish bowled well in South Africa at the start of the year and in more helpful conditions here, facing him offers a great challenge for us.

“Asif and Umar have been outstanding performers. They have really come of age as pace bowlers. I’m not sure what impact would there be on the series if Pakistan are without Shoaib Akhtar who’s always a threatening proposition. But both Asif and Umar are very good bowlers.”

Smith said he was looking forward to a good series in Pakistan, with a number of his players having had experience of playing in the sub-continent.

“Hopefully, they can pass on their thinking and thought process and planning to the younger guys in the team in this series,” he said.

The South Africa skipper admitted he was not worrying about facing a Pakistan side without senior players like Mohammad Yousuf, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Shoaib Akhtar.

“Obviously Yousuf is a world-class players. But we believe in going about our usual thought process. I think Pakistan are also going through a process of rebuilding and should get used to it.”

Meanwhile, Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, said both teams have a chance of improving their positions on the ICC Test Championship table in the series.

“Both South Africa and Pakistan are keen to move up the Test rankings. This in itself makes the coming series quite enthralling. We have a couple of tough series coming up starting from the Pakistan tour. ”

Arthur said both nations are looking ahead to the series and will try to blood youngsters to carry them forward.

“As far as we are concerned, we have a chance to blood a young team that could serve us for a couple of years,” he pointed out. “Of course, losing in the Twenty20 World Championship was a big disappointment after just one defeat. But this is Test cricket and a new series. This is something the players look forward to,” he added.