Pakistan is safe for international teams: Ashraf

KARACHI: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Nasim Ashraf said that they are  safe and secure to host international teams despite the recent clashes between security forces and Islamic militants at the Lal Masjid in Islamabad.

Ruling out the possibility of Pakistan being forced to change its international calendar because of security issues, Ashraf said the situation was under control and no touring team should have any concern.

"We are going ahead as planned with our programme and at this moment we are confident we will face no problems with security issues raised by touring teams," Ashraf said.

Pakistan will host the Australia A team for a three-week tour, starting on September 1. Later, South Africa will visit the coest series from September 27.

It will host Zimbabwe for a one-day series later in the year. Australia will also come for a full Test series early next year.

The Australian cricket authorities will send a delegation to Pakistan on July 16 to inspect all the venues and review security arrangements for their teams.

Ashraf, however, reiterated that it would be a normal exercise. "Such reconnaissance visits are now a routine matter in international cricket. We will also be sending a delegation to India before our tour there in November and December," he said.