A Pakistani security delegation has concluded its inspection of venues in the run-up to their cricket team's first Test tour of India in six years starting next month.
The Pakistan team, set to arrive on February 25, will play three Tests and five one-dayers. The Indian board has announced the venues but the dates for the matches have not been finalised.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official Zakir Khan and security expert Sohail Khan described the week-long trip as "informative and successful" but declined to say if they had security concerns over the volatile city of Ahmedabad.
The controversial pick for a Test, Ahmedabad is the main city of the western Gujarat state, which was rocked by India's worst communal riots for a decade in 2002.
"There has not been any controversy over our looking at things in Ahmedabad," Sohail Khan, told Reuters. "As far as the controversy goes you read it through the press."
The two officials, who ended their visit by inspecting the Ferozeshah Kotla ground on Monday, will give their report to PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan later this week.
Sohail Khan felt security concerns for Pakistan players and visiting fans were easing with the warming of political ties between the two hostile neighbours.
The Indian government lifted a ban imposed in 2000 on bilateral cricket with Pakistan, paving the way for India's highly popular first Test tour of Pakistan for over 14 years in March-April in 2004.
POSITIVE CHANGE
"There has been a positive change after the Indian team's visit to Pakistan," Sohail Khan said.
"The way things were in Pakistan, response by the public there, there is a certain element of reciprocity among Indian public."
Indian board officials said Pakistan would have nothing to worry about during their first Test tour since 1999.
"We met external affairs ministry officials today and they've assured us full cooperation," board vice-president Rajeev Shukla told reporters.
Nearly 10,000 Pakistan fans are expected to travel across the border for the series and the government has assured that special visa offices would be set up in Karachi and Lahore, he said.
"The government is also considering running special trains, particularly for the Mohali Test, even special flights if needed.
The Pakistan officials, however, expressed concern on whether construction would be completed at New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla in time to stage the fifth and final one-dayer on April 9.
"The boards will definitely discuss this," Zakir Khan said. "The wicket takes time and it has to be tested by playing. It should not be a sub-standard pitch."
Delhi cricket official Chetan Chauhan said the March 20 deadline for getting the stadium ready would be met.
