Pakistan needs to fine-tune security arrangements for ICC: Reg Dickason

Ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in Pakistan, an Australian security expert Reg Dickason cautioned the host country to fine-tune its security arrangement.

Karachi, June 29 : Ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy in Pakistan, an Australian security expert Reg Dickason cautioned the host country to fine-tune its security arrangement.

Dickson said, "Everybody would like to play here. There's lots of (security) experience in this country plus international experience have been brought in. Still some fine-tuning needs to be done here and everyone acknowledges that," the Dawn quoted him, as saying.

Dickson has been hired by the Australia, England and New Zealand cricket boards to assess security measures ahead of September's tournament.

Dickson had previously visited with the New Zealand cricket team as security manager in 2002.

"I had met some security consultants and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials who have been very helpful," Dickson stated. "I will be having more meetings as the Champions Trophy is still two to three months away."

Last week, the ICC said Pakistan remained the first choice venue for the Champions Trophy, but would continue to monitor the security situation.

Sri Lanka was put on standby as an alternative host. Players from Australia, New Zealand and England have expressed reservations about the security situation in Pakistan ahead of the limited-overs tournament involving the world's top eight teams.

Dickson will submit his security report to Cricket Australia (CA), New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the next two weeks.

The Pakistan government had promised high security for the participating teams at all three proposed match venues - Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore.

Earlier this year, Australia pulled out of their tour to Pakistan on security grounds following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and a state-of-emergency surrounding national elections.

Australia will now play the five-match one-day series in March 2009 before returning for the Test series in 2010.

ANI