Shaharyar says team faced no security risks (21 February 1999)

21 February 1999

Shaharyar says team faced no security risks

Our Special Representative

CALCUTTA, Feb 20: Pakistan team manager Shaharyar Khan on Saturday said there were absolutely no security concerns for next month's tour of this country but said the authorities at home would have to think twice whether to play a match at the Eden Gardens.

"I think we will have to think twice before we have to come back to Eden Gardens. But as far as security at other places is concerned, it has been marvellous," Shaharyar Khan told the Pakistan press after the conclusion of the tour.

He said generally throughout the tour, the Pakistan team has been very warmly received except for today's crowd which was unruly. "I see absolutely no reason to change the course and my recommendation to the PCB and government is that the team should go through the one-day matches."

Khan said Pakistan was not the only team that was harassed in such as way. He recalled that Clive Lloyd had to award the match to Sri Lanka because of crowd disruption.

The former Pakistan foreign secretary, who has throughout the tour appreciated the crowd, finally expressed his disappointment. "The only regrettable thing of the tour is the disappointing crowd today. Today there were elements to disrupt the match and it's unfortunate that most the spectators wanted the match to continue.

"A minority group has let the administration and people of Calcutta down. It's sad that a section of spectators behaved in such a manner," Khan stated.

Shaharyar Khan said not only the reputation of the Calcutta crowd has been dented, it has been tarnished. "I think their reputation has been tarnished. But I still feel that most of the Calcutta people are sporting and have passion for sport. However, passion is one thing and unsporting behaviour is another. There was a freak incident that took place yesterday and the crowd reacted but it immediately settled down. What happened today, in my mind, was unforgivable."

However, the manager dispelled impressions that today's incident has marred what has been a see-saw series. "No, I don't think that the series has been marred with this incident but has definitely created a little bit of unnecessary drama. It's just unfortunate that this thing happened."

Shaharyar Khan said he and his team wanted the result through cricket and not by abandoning the match. He said the players were very keen to play and also took the field thrice. "But since the projectiles were being thrown and big projectiles, they had to return to the dressing room every time."

"It was an incredible win if you look back at this Test with Pakistan losing six wickets for 26 runs in the first hour. Anyone telling at that time about winning the Test, one thought that was highly unlikely even though cricket is a strange game."

The manager said that one thing that comes out very strongly is that the team spirit and the fighting capabilities of the Pakistan team has been proved beyond doubt. "We have not done it once, we have done it over and over times. Now we go back as a united team, a team solidly behind Wasim Akram and ready to perform to the best of their ability."

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)