Foolproof security for Australia A, U-19 - PCB

Pakistan will provide the Australia A and Under-19 teams, due to visit in September and October, with the kind of security cover generally reserved for Test squads touring the country.

Zakir Khan, director cricket operations, PCB, told The News he is confident the tours of the Australian squads will go ahead without any problems and that players and officials alike will be completely safe. Close protection officers will accompany the squads through the entire tour.

"We are happy that Cricket Australia has announced that the tours of their Under-19 and A squads to Pakistan will go ahead according to schedule in spite of Hockey Australia's decision to pull out of the {Hockey} Champions Trophy in Lahore," Zakir said.

A security delegation from Cricket Australia reviewed arrangements for the tours and Zakir said they were "fully satisfied with what it saw during the visit." The delegation met officials from the interior ministry officials and Zakir added it is likely the PCB seek a follow-up meeting with the ministry.

The pull-out of Australia's hockey team from the Champions Trophy, to be held in Lahore in December, due to security reasons, had sparked concern over the intentions of their cricket counterparts.

Though the spate of suicide bombs that hit the country earlier in the month seem to have relented in recent days, the country remains in a state of high alert.

South Africa are due to tour in October for a series of two Tests and five ODIs and though no statement has been forthcoming from their board on the matter, Zakir remains confident it will go ahead.

"We have received no communication from Cricket South Africa in recent days and believe that they have no issues regarding sending their team to Pakistan," he said.