7/11: PCB jittery about player's safety

PCB said the issue is of prime importance despite the fact that Pakistan are not scheduled to play any match in Mumbai in the group stage.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed concerns over the safety of players during the Champions Trophy in India following the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, saying that the issue is of prime importance despite the fact that Inzamam and his men are not scheduled to play a single match in the city in the group stages.

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"The safety of the players is the most important issue and we would take all possible steps to ensure their security," PCB Director Operations Saleem Altaf told 'The News'.

Mr Altaf, however, added that the issue should be more of concern to the ICC and the PCB would wait and watch how the governing body handles the situation.

"The recent bombings in Mumbai is a cause for concern but we are confident that the ICC would take care of the players' safety issue," he added.

Earlier, Australian Cricketers Association President Paul Marsh had expressed similar concerns but the country's cricket board was quick to dismiss his views, making it clear that the World Champions would come to the sub-continent for the October-November event.

"It is too early to talk about any such possibility," he said, dismissing suggestions of a possible pull-out.

Pakistan are placed in Group B with South Africa, New Zealand and a team from the qualifiers.