PCB chief Ashraf satisfied with security arrangements

Satisfied by the security arrangements being put in place for the Pakistan cricket team in India, PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said the much-anticipated series this month would also help improve the bilateral ties between the two countries.

"We are not worried about any security issues because we are certain that the Indian board and their government will provide the best possible security for our players," Ashraf said.

A PCB delegation, including a senior police official of the interior ministry, is currently in India visiting the venues of the two Twenty20 matches and three ODIs in December-January to inspect the security arrangements and coordinate other issues with the Indian authorities.

Ashraf said he was confident that the players would be able to focus totally on their cricket and give good results despite the threats being reported in the media.

"I don't see this series as just a cricket series I see this series as something bigger. I would like it to eventually help improve relations between the two countries," Ashraf said.

"I want to see not only regular bilateral cricket relations with India but also better relations on other levels as well," he added.

The PCB chief was also quietly confident that eventually efforts being made to convince other boards to send their teams to Pakistan would pay off.

"I don't want to take names but we are presently in talks with two or three boards trying to convince them it is safe for them to send their teams to Pakistan for a proper international series," he stated.

Ashraf said even the ICC was keen to see international cricket return to Pakistan.

"It is difficult to give a time-frame for international teams to return to Pakistan but I see a scenario now where every board is waiting to see which board first sends it team to Pakistan," he said.