Despite repeated assurances of top level security by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy in September, few member countries of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are reluctant to play in the country.
Lahore, May 30 : Despite repeated assurances of top level security by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy in September, few member countries of the International Cricket Council (ICC) are reluctant to play in the country.
Sources said that though the last visit of the ICC delegation raised no serious objection during the security briefing given to them by the police and Interior Ministry officials, there are indications that some ICC members countries are still following the wait and see policy.
On the contrary, Pakistan which is also playing host to the Asia Cup in June-July has been given a green signal by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) which has neither expressed any reservations nor have sent any security delegation prior to the event.
According to sources, all main member countries of the ACC including India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have not shown any concerns over the rapidly improving security situation in Pakistan in their meeting held at Colombo last Sunday.
There are also reports that the PCB delegation gave a highly satisfactory and successful briefing over the issue to the participating countries, the Dawn reported.
As for the Champions Trophy, the sources said that reluctance has mainly been shown by those countries who have a definite role in war against terrorism in the neighbouring Afghanistan.
The PCB, however, had emphasised upon the ICC delegation that since the whole world is under constant threat of terrorism, it would not be fair to single out Pakistan as a dangerous zone.
ANI