Security not a problem: Chappell

Published August 2, 2002

RAWALPINDI, Aug 1: Pakistan’s imported fielding coach Trevor Chappell said Thursday that it would be better for Australia to decide sooner than later on touring Pakistan for a scheduled Test series this October.

“Security should not be a problem because during my stay here for the past one month I have felt perfectly safe,” said the Australian who was in Rawalpindi to give coaching tips to players at the Pakistan Cricket Board’s regional academy at the KRL Ground.

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) is still pondering whether to tour or not despite reports that President Pervez Musharraf has spoken to their Prime Minister John Howard in a bid to persuade them to come.

“I think for the players to move together from the hotel to the ground would not pose any security risks and it is time now for the ACB to make a final decision because the host country has to make all the arrangements.”

Trevor, brother of Australian greats Greg and Ian, meanwhile was quite impressed with the talent at Rawalpindi Academy and tipped right arm medium fast bowler Yasir Ali and left arm quickie Saad Altaf as having the potential of making it to big time cricket. “Yasir is raw at the moment but he has got pace,” he said of the player who comes from Attock and wore spikes for the first time just two weeks ago.

Trevor, who is due to leave for Australia Friday, pointed out that the batsmen in the camp needed to improve their footwork. “They tend to go forward all the time and do not play on the backfoot.” Some of the batsmen he felt were good but named only Naveed Latif, who has already represented Pakistan.

Coming to Rawalpindi after visiting the academies in Peshawar and Muridke, Trevor, who played five Tests for Australia, said that at least eight players could go on and represent Pakistan from the three centres.

“The Muridke Academy probably has the most talent and has a couple of good players including Najaf Shah and Salman Butt.”

Trevor, who was in Pakistan for only a month, said he would love to return if the PCB wanted him again.

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