VVIP security arrangements in place for the Sri Lanka series: PCB

From ANI

Karachi, Jan.04: As Sri Lanka continues to delay the announcement of the tour itinerary, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again assured that security will not be a problem during the home series against the Lankans .

"VVIP security arrangements will be made for the Sri Lankan team that is expected to play two Tests, three One-day Internationals and a twenty20 game during the tour of Pakistan," The News quoted a PCB official, as saying.

Rejecting the report which said that International Cricket Council's (ICC) elite panel umpires from outside the subcontinent, are reluctant to officiate in Pakistan because of security concerns, the official said: "I haven't heard of anybody complaining about the series as far as the Sri Lanka series is concerned."

"Even the Sri Lankan players are okay about coming to Pakistan. They were here for the Asia Cup and know that they would be safe in Pakistan," he added.

Names of officials for the tour have still not been finalised by the ICC, as it has decided to monitor the security preparations by an independent agency before appointing umpires for the series.

"The issue is that of safety. Security is not simply a matter for players; it's also a matter for everyone else - broadcasters, journalists, and match officials too, as well as spectators," a top ICC official said.

"From the ICC's perspective, what would be required is that the match officials are afforded the same level of security as any and everyone else," the official added.

The PCB has assured the ICC that it will offer the same high-level security cover to the umpires and other officials during the series which the players will receive.


Copyright Asian News International/DailyIndia.com