PESHAWAR, Feb 10: The NWFP Governor, Syed IftikharHussain Shah, said on Tuesday the authorities concerned had given him firm assurance that Peshawar would host the Pakistan-India Test match.

Mr Shah, while paying a visit to the Arbab Niaz Stadium, directed the local authority to carry out under a crash programme necessary repair work, improvement and upgradation of facilities at the stadium.

Accompanied by provincial minister for sports and culture Raja Faisal Zaman, secretary sports Amjad Nazir, secretary works and services Arshad Mirza and director sports Maazullah Khan, the governor went around the stadium and said that it did needfacelift. The furniture and fixtures should be of the best quality and seating capacity should be increased to meet requirements.

"We are expecting a large number of foreign journalists and if it requires another enclave, it should be created and completed within two to three weeks time," he said.

Responding to queries, he said that the Indian officials would visit Peshawar on Wednesday to examine security arrangements. "As far as we are concerned, we are making earnest efforts to hold the match and have no reservations about it."

The three-member Indian security delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with the governor and high-ranking police officials of the province besides paying a visit to the Arbab Niaz Stadium.