Security checks before the real game

Karachi, June 2 (UNI) An Australian security delegation will visit Pakistan to assess the security conditions at the venues of the upcoming cricket tours of the country's under-19, 'A' team and senior team.

According to 'The News', a senior official of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Cricket Australia had confirmed they would be sending their inspection team on a reconnaissance visit sometime in July.

While the Australian under-19 and 'A' teams are due to tour Pakistan from late August to October onwards, the senior team tours in February-March next year to play three Tests and five One-day Internationals (ODIs).

The visiting delegation will meet security officials at all the scheduled venues to assess the ground situation so as to ensure their teams face no problems in Pakistan.

Chief Executive Officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board Shafqat Nagmi said the visit by the inspection team didn't mean the Australians had any reservations about playing in Pakistan.

''Their tours are very much on. These inspection visits are now routine and done before every series,'' he said.

Australia had in 2002 backed out of touring Pakistan citing security concerns for their players after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. The series was later played at neutral venues.

UNI