LAHORE, 30 September 2003 — Pakistan yesterday said “misconceptions” about security in this country would be removed after the South African cricket team’s tour which it hopes will clear the way for more such visits in future.

“President Pervez Musharraf has made it clear that it’s a high profile series,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief executive Ramiz Raja told reporters on the eve of the rescheduled South African tour.

“It’s a chance for us for image building and to clear misconception about Pakistan,” he quoted Musharraf as saying.

“We will be providing VIP security for the teams but at the same time will ensure that the fans looking forward to series can enjoy the matches without any hassles,” Raja said.

The South African cricket team, accompanied by their board’s President Ray Mali will arrive here early today to play five one-day games and two Tests.

The tour was canceled earlier by South African officials over security fears a day after a bomb blast in Karachi on Sept. 19.

They, however, agreed to a revised schedule following PCB’s decision to relocate matches from Karachi and Peshawar, to allay their concerns.

The Proteas will be the first Western team to tour Pakistan since New Zealand cut short their tour after a suicide bomb blast outside their team hotel in Karachi in May last year.

Pakistan was then compelled to play its home series against the West Indies and Australia at neutral venues last year.

Raja said the dropping of Karachi as a match venue was unfortunate.

“We will raise the issue of venues in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Executive Board’s meeting in West Indies next month as it deprives our cricketers and fans.

“When we have no objection on playing at venues abroad we also want other countries to accept the venues in Pakistan after our government gives assurance of top level security.”

The South Africans open their tour with a warm-up one-day match against City Nazim XI in Lahore on Oct. 1.

Miandad Vows to Exploit

South African Weakness

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad plans to exploit South African weaknesses following Australian Test captain Steve Waughs assertions that the Proteas are “chokers”.

“We have seen their videos and have discussed their weak areas as Steve Waugh put it that they are chokers in crunch matches,” Miandad said on the eve of South African’s arrival to play five one-day games and two Tests.

“We would try to capitalize on it,” Miandad told reporters.

Waugh tagged the Proteas as “chokers” when they toured Down Under in 1997-98 and when Australia beat them in the last league game and tied the semifinal in the 1999 World Cup in England.

The South Africans under Greame Smith flopped in the final of the Tri Series challenge in England, bundled out for a mere 108, and then lost the Oval Test against England after scoring over 400 runs to finish the Test series 2-2.

“We look forward to an exciting series after the uncertainty over the tour,” said the Pakistan coach.