August 05, 2008	Tuesday	Sha'aban 2, 1429

MELBOURNE, Aug 4: Urging the Australian cricket team to stop worrying about its safety in Pakistan, world’s leading umpire Simon Taufel on Monday called upon Ricky Ponting’s men to fearlessly tour the “friendly” nation for next month’s Champions Trophy.

Taufel said never once in his “half a dozen” tours to Pakistan, has he felt any threat to his life. The three-time ICC ‘Umpire of the Year’ said he has always come across friendly and warm people in the country, widely perceived to be dangerous.

”There are no guarantees in any area of life. In all my experiences there, the Pakistan people have been friendly and hospitable,” Taufel told ‘The Sun-Herald.’

Australia might boycott the eight-nation tourney or send an under-strength team as top players including skipper Ricky Ponting are apprehensive about touring the south-Asian nation due to security fears.

But Taufel felt such concerns are exaggerated and Pakistan is as good as any other venue in the world in terms of security. “Everything is absolutely first class.

“All measures are taken with security. They make a huge effort in the security stakes. At no stage have I felt worried, in danger or threatened in Pakistan,” he added.

Taufel said he would have no issues travelling to Pakistan if selected to officiate in the Champions Trophy. “If I’m selected to be an umpire, I will not hesitate to go,” he asserted.—Agencies