July 30, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 26, 1429

KARACHI, July 29: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on Tuesday urged teams to honour their commitments and participate in the ICC Champions Trophy, scheduled to be played in the country this September.

Speaking on the sidelines of a promotional campaign launched by Gillette Pakistan, Malik said the teams who are raising security concerns over Pakistan staging the eight-nation tournament, should not have any fear of playing here.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) last Thursday reconfirmed Pakistan as the host country for the Sept 11-28 tournament after holding a teleconference with all the stakeholders.

“I think they should come to Pakistan and play here in the best possible environment. They should not fear for their safety because they’ll be given the best security cover,” he emphasised.

“I can assure them [visiting cricketers] that we will treat them as royal guests. Pakistan is renowned for its hospitality. There is tremendous passion for sports in our country, especially for cricket.”

Defending champions Australia have been at the forefront of the countries who have repeatedly expressed their apprehensions with regard to touring Pakistan over safety reasons. England, South Africa and New Zealand have also raised security concerns.

“The recent Asia Cup was successfully held with Sri Lanka and India [who are also in the Champions Trophy] playing in Pakistan without any fear. I sincerely hope that better sense will prevail and all the world’s leading cricket stars play in the Champions Trophy,” the Pakistan skipper added.

Malik, meanwhile, joined international sports personalities Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry as a Gillette champion at the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Malik, who shaved on the stage, said he was honoured to be introduced a Pakistan Gillette champion.

“It’s a great privilege for me to be amongst the great global sporting icons of this programme. I’m truly honoured to be given such a status,” he said.

“A good close shave makes you feel you can do anything and be the best at everything. The product helps me fulfil this desire by giving me the confidence to be at my very best,” Malik, who currently tops the ODI rankings in the best all-rounder category, remarked.

Earlier, Saad Amanullah Khan, the company’s chief executive, welcomed the Pakistan captain.