Pakistan board dismisses security concerns

The Pakistan board has dismissed concerns from several international players regarding security arrangements in the country for the Champions Trophy in September. The ICC had declared itself happy with the security situation in Pakistan "at this time" but many Australian and New Zealand players remain uneasy about the tournament.

"We've been hearing though the media that there may be concerns among some of the players about the Champions Trophy," Zakir Khan, the PCB's director of cricket operations, told the Karachi-based News. "But we are not taking any of it seriously unless there is an official confirmation from the boards of those countries."

Zakir said since the ICC was satisfied with the security measures, there was no need for other countries' boards to be worried. "I don't think there is a need for any security consultant from Australia to come here," Zakir said regarding reports that an Australian official was headed to Pakistan next week to review the situation. "The ICC [security] officials are already here and monitoring the situation. I believe that should be enough."

But while Ponting and other Australian players expressed their concern over the tournament, Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, said he would feel it was safe to tour if the level of security was the same as when his side toured Pakistan in 2003. "I was there when the bomb went off outside our hotel in [2002] and I went back a year later on tour and the security they put forward that time was immense and overwhelming," Vettori said. "So if they could promise that level of security it would appease a lot of guys." Earlier Jacob Oram, the New Zealand allrounder who was part of the 2003 tour to Pakistan, had said he would sit with his family and take a decision on whether or not to tour the country this year.

Peter Moores, the England coach, said his side hadn't discussed the situation yet. "We'll wait and see what is said and if that's where we're going and we'll take our advice from the ECB."