PCB looks to Punjab government for security

An official of the board said a meeting had been scheduled with the Punjab government on Friday to finalise security arrangements for the series that includes two matches at the Gaddafi stadium here.

Interestingly, the federal government has already assured foolproof security for the visiting team, scheduled to play matches on April 29 and 30.

But concerns are being expressed in the cricket circles due to the ongoing bad relations between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Punjab government, which is headed by the opposition Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz.

"We had an internal coordination meeting on Tuesday for the series but obviously all security arrangements will be finalised and coordinated with the Punjab government," the official said.

Bangladesh will be the first Test-playing nation to visit Pakistan since March, 2009, when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team here, killing six Pakistani policemen and a van driver and injuring five visiting players.

The 'Dawn' expressed reservations today that due to the conflict-like situation existing between the Federal and Punjab governments, the PCB faces an arduous task in coordinating security arrangements for the series.

The newspaper said that the PCB was concerned that the Punjab government has still not come out with a media statement welcoming the series or promising foolproof security arrangements.

But the PCB official dispelled the impression that any such situation existed.

"Everyone is on board with the PCB to hold the series smoothly as the image of the country is at stake. So far we have only got positive responses from the centre and province on the organisational matters pertaining to the series," he said. PTI Cor AH