Air surveillance for Karachi matches

Pakistan has promised to provide fool-proof security to the Indian cricket team during the Test and one-dayer in Karachi.

Pakistan has promised to provide fool-proof security to the Indian cricket team including air surveillance during the Test and one-dayer in Karachi.

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The five-member delegation, led by Inspector General of Police Yashovardhan Azad and which assessed the venues during a recent visit to Pakistan, was apprehensive about the Indians playing a Test in Karachi but agreed later.

"The delegation was against holding a Test in Karachi but on assurances from the Pakistani Government and PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan, it agreed to play there," sources said.

"The delegation was told that high-class security would be provided to the Indian team and after checking with all the security apparatus with the Karachi administration, it agreed," they said.

The delegation also expressed security concerns on account of Moharram which would require large deployment of security forces.

But the delegation was told that a three-ring security blanket would be thrown around the team, complete with barricades around the team hotel.

The delegation included Ratnakar Shetty, Executive Secretary In Charge of the Indian Cricket Board, GS Walia, a member of the BCCI Media Committee and two Government officials. Azad was sent for his "expertise" in security related issues.