PCB planning to send security delegation to India

Lahore: Relieved they might be at the revival of bilateral cricket ties with India but that would not stop the PCB from sending a delegation across the border to "take stock" of the security arrangements for Pakistan team`s tour next month.

PCB chief Zaka Ashraf told reporters that the Board welcomed the BCCI announcement that it had got clearance for the tour that begins from December 25 -- the first bilateral contact between the two teams since late 2007. "It is a great development and we are confident the revival of bilateral ties will also help improve relations between the two countries and increase people to people contact," he said. The PCB chief said that since assuming office he had focused on restoration of bilateral ties with India and efforts had paid dividends. "We are happy to be sending our team to India and we are hoping this new beginning will continue on regular basis. The way I see it during the current tenure we have reached a unprecedented level of understanding with the Indian board." "We don`t see the series being played in India or Pakistan we just see it as a series to revive friendship," he added. Ashraf, however, said that the PCB, after consultations with its government, would send a security delegation to India to assess the arrangements there. "We have full confidence in the security and arrangements being made by the Indian board but the delegation will be going there to take stock and coordinate things with them," he said. Ashraf also admitted that India had a influential role in International cricket and that is why he had pushed for the revival of bilateral ties. "But nothing could be achieved without the understanding of the Indian board and governments," he noted. "I hope in future their team plays in Pakistan, if the security situation improves (in Pakistan)," Ashraf said. PTI