NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Indian Gujarat State Chief Minister Narendra Modi has told cricket officials that Pakistan cricket team will get same security that he has when it plays a Test here, a top cricket official said Wednesday.

"I spoke to Modi and he assured me that Pakistanis will get same security that he gets, so players will have no problem," Narhari Amin, president of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) said. He is also Leader of Congress party in Gujarat.

Amin was reacting to reports that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is wary of playing a Test in Ahmedabad, which they consider communally sensitive and which saw a rash of sectarian violence in 2002.

"I have also spoken to Minister of State for Home (Gujarat) Amit Shah and he assured me of top security for teams," said Amin. Pakistan is scheduled to play three Tests and five one-day internationals, beginning Feb 25, during 45-day tour of India - first since 1999.

Amin assured Pakistan team and fans they would have no security problem when the match is played at Motera Stadium, on outskirts of Ahmedabad. He said Pakistan had right to reject venue if there was a "genuine reason" and if anything was lacking inside the ground.

"If they decide not to play in Delhi or Kanpur (proposed for one-dayers), they may have genuine reasons because one stadium is under construction while a section of stands at the other is not safe," he said.

He said when Pakistan inspection team visited Motera Stadium Jan 29, four top police officials of state explained security arrangements in and outside stadium. "The reaction of Pakistanis was positive," claimed Amin.

"Anyway, riots took place long ago; it is now absolutely normal here in Gujarat." In 1987, last time Pakistan played a Test here, their players fielded on boundary wearing helmets after spectators threw missiles. -PPI