Akram urges India to tour

Wasim Akram has called on India's cricketers to shrug off concerns over security, and tour Pakistan next month. Akram, who retired last May, said India should follow the example of the side he led across the border in 1998-99.

"My request to Indian players is to hit security concerns out of their minds and tour Pakistan with open minds and smiles because people all over the world are anxiously waiting for the series," he said. "The Indians must follow the Pakistan team's example. We toured India despite death threats from fundamentalists, and the whole of India welcomed us on the tour. I know the cultures of both Pakistan and India, people are mad about cricket and I see no problems for Indian players in Pakistan."

A three-member Indian delegation is currently in Pakistan, to assess security and also to check out the facilities ahead of a tour which will include three Tests, five one-day internationals and a three-day warm-up game.

Akram's comments came after Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain, had expressed fears over the security arrangements. "We are worried about the security and we all have to take the concerns of our families into account," he had said, on his return from Australia.

Wasim acknowledged that both the players and their families had cause to be concerned, but insisted that a security guarantee from the Pakistan government could put them at ease.

"I know the families remain concerned, the same happened to our families but we toured just because of assurances from Indian government. Here, the Pakistan Government has promised full security, so the tour must go on," he said.

As for the games themselves, Akram expected an even contest. "The Indian batting is definitely superior but they would be tired after a hectic series down under, while their bowling would struggle on good batting tracks," he said. "In comparison, Pakistan's bowling can come up on any track."