Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has stepped in to prevent Australia from cancelling their March tour, saying he would personally speak to Ricky Ponting's men
MELBOURNE: Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik has stepped in to prevent Australia from cancelling their March tour of the troubled nation, saying he would personally speak to Ricky Ponting's men and convince them about the security situation in his country.
"I would like to speak to them personally and tell them that we will have good security for them in Pakistan. India have come here and there was a lot of talk then, but in the end there was no problem. It will be the same for Australia," Malik told the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
Pakistan has been on the boil after former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination last week and reports here say several Australian cricketers are unwilling to put themselves in harm's way by touring the country.
Malik, however, steered clear from commenting on the current political situation but assured that things will improve by the time Aussies land there.
"I do not want to comment about the politics. I am a sportsman, and not very good about talking about politics. But I would like to say that with what is happening in my country, it is getting under control, and it will get better. There is still more than two months (before the Australians' arrival)," Malik assured.
Malik said cricket fans in Pakistan were keen to see the Australians in action and urged Ponting's men not to disappoint them.
"They are the best team in the world at the moment, and there are many fans in Pakistan who would love to see them. Hayden, Ponting, Symonds are all very good players, and we have also got a good side to play them. It would be bad for the game and for the people in Pakistan if they did not come," he said.
Malik said he was even willing to update the Aussies about the security situation whenever they wanted.
"The security in Pakistan is very good. I would be happy to speak to the Australian players if they would like to know what is happening here," he said.
Malik's views were echoed by former Pakistan captain Imran Khan who said there was no danger for touring cricketers.
"I don't think the cricketers have any threat at all," he told a Melbourne radio station.
"This is not going to last two months when the Australians appear. In the context of cricket, there will be nothing to worry about if the tour is in March. I don't think the Australians should have any worries," he said.
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