PCB awaits security approval from Australia

The Pakistan Cricket Board is yet to receive an approval from their Australian counterparts about security arrangements for the forthcoming ODI series between the two countries in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from April 22.

The PCB has also rushed its acting director (marketing), Aamer Sohail to Dubai to make efforts to secure title and other sponsorship issues for the five-ODI series and one

Twenty20 match.

The series has been shifted to the emirate states after Cricket Australia raised security concerns for cricketers and refused to send team to Pakistan.

The PCB has so far failed to secure title and other sponsorships for the series and is also waiting for a final approval from the Australians for the proposed security plan.

“The security plan has been prepared after consultations with the Emirates Cricket Board and Dubai police authorities. We managed to get the cooperation of the Dubai authorities after getting assistance from the foreign office,” a well-informed PCB source said.

He said the Australians were jittery about the security of their players even in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which are normally considered safe for tourists and businesses.

“After the attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore the Australians understandably don’t want to take any chances with the security and they are very particular about the security arrangements for the series,” the source said.

“The Australians have said they want their team to be put p at hotels close to the grounds in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and there should not be long distance travelling involved from the hotel to the grounds,” the source added.

He said the CA was consulting its players association and also private security agencies about the security plan for the series.

The source said the PCB was looking at earning around USD 1.5 million from the title sponsorship rights but had failed to get attractive offers as yet.

“Pakistan is playing Australia after a long time and the PCB expects sooner or later the title sponsorship would be sold for a good amount,” he said.