Although confident of the Australians touring Pakistan in March-April, the country's Cricket Board (PCB), as a matter of policy, has got the series insured.
KARACHI: Although confident of the Australians touring Pakistan in March-April, the country's Cricket Board (PCB), as a matter of policy, has got the series insured for approximately USD 7.4 million (approx. Rs 30 crore).
A senior official of the Board said that not only the Australian series been insured from Llyods of London but Pakistan had got all of its home matches, which they play under the ICC Future Tours Program, insured.
"We have gone for insurance because we have to safeguard our financial interests and we have and will face problems from touring teams who keep on raising concerns about the security and other things before every tour," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said.
Naghmi, however, was confident of the Australians touring on schedule after a positive report sent by the Australian high commissioner to his government.
Australia's tour has been in doubt since the assassination of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto which was followed by a wave of suicide bomb attacks in the country.
Some Australian players, prominent among them being Andrew Symonds, have expressed apprehensions over touring Pakistan but Naghmi said Cricket Australia remains committed to the tour, which comprises three Tests, five ODIs and a twenty20 match.
"The feelers from Australia and other places have been positive about the tour."
"We have not seen the report sent by the Australian high commission but we have been told it is a very positive one and can help in allaying any Australian concerns about playing in Pakistan," Naghmi said."
He said the current tour by Zimbabwe had come at the right time as it was being held before general elections on February 18.
"Hopefully things will settle down more after the elections so there should be no problems with the Australians coming to Pakistan," Naghmi said.
He revealed the board was disappointed with media reports in Australia that the PCB was putting the Australian players at risk by forcing them to play in Pakistan just for financial gains.
We want to make it clear that the Australian series is insured for lot of things so we have that financially covered," he clarified.
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