Christchurch (New Zealand), Nov 25: International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Ehsan Mani said today Pakistan will be safe for the New Zealand cricketers during their upcoming tour. An under-strength team leaves for Pakistan tomorrow for a five match one-day series.
Mani, who was here with ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed, was certain the 12-day tour would be trouble free.
Mani said security in Pakistan was second to none, despite the bomb blast outside the Black Caps Karachi hotel in may last year, which killed 14 people.
The New Zealand team delayed visiting Pakistan after their recent one-day series in India because of threats made against them if they toured during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Mani said cricket was played in Pakistan during Ramadan without any problem and England recently visited a nearby Muslim country, Bangladesh.
"But there was a threat made and New Zealand did the right thing by stepping back and assessing it. There was great cooperation between the boards and the ICC was kept informed."
Speed said some of the major cities where cricket was played were dangerous places.
"If players are to play professional cricket from time to time they will visit them. Within that we seek to put in place the best security possible."
Bureau Report