PCB confident players would be looked after in India

The security delegation it is planning to send notwithstanding, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf is confident that the national team would be well looked after during its upcoming tour to India.

Ashraf told reporters in Bahawalpur that the BCCI had assured them that Pakistan would be provided foolproof security while in India.

"We have full confidence in the arrangements that will be made by the hosts and we are sure our players will be able to focus on their cricket," he said.

Pakistan is due to visit India from December 22 to play two Twenty20 internationals and three one-dayers and the PCB would be sending a security delegation ahead of the tour to coordinate arrangements for the team with the hosts.

"In the past also when Pakistan went to play in India they were well looked after and security for them was very good. So we are not bothered by statements coming from some groups in India about not allowing Pakistan to play the series," he added.

He maintained that the forthcoming series that will revive the bilateral ties between the two countries after five years would be a successful one and lead to more contacts between the two teams.

Ashraf also made it clear that the PCB was committed to inviting teams to tour Pakistan to revive international cricket in the country.

"...we are hopeful international cricket will return soon to Pakistan. It is a matter of time and we are preparing for that time," he said.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has said it is committed to sending its team to Pakistan but this would be subject to security clearance from the government.

Bangladesh were to tour Pakistan in late April but the tour didn't materialise after the Dhaka High Court, in response to a petition, passed an interim order restraining the team from playing in Pakistan due to security concerns.