Indian PM's assurance to Pakistan cricket team welcomed

Vajpayee on Saturday dismissed threats from Hindu fundamentalists, saying his Government will not allow any organisation or individual to disturb the tour.

The fundamentalist Shiv Sena party and its chief Bal Thackeray had made renewed threats recently, saying they would not allow Pakistan to play on Indian soil.

The tour of India is scheduled for next January for three Tests and three limited over games. It will be Pakistan's first visit to India in 11 years.

Pakistan's legendary batsman Hanif Mohammad welcomed Vajpayee's statement, saying it cleared the way for the tour.

``It is a good gesture from the Indian Premier and it's a welcome sign that the respective governments make sure the cricketing ties go on,'' said Mohammad, who was a member of Pakistan's first tour to India in 1952-53.

Mohammad, 64, born in Junagadh, India, before the two countries won Independence from Britain, said Pakistan-India cricket ties are the ``Ashes of Asia'' and should be played every alternate year.

``It not only creates public interest but strengthens the relationship between the two countries,'' the Pakistan cricket legend said.

The two teams have played off-shore cricket in Sharjah, Canada, Bangladesh and Singapore in the last decade but their last Test series on each other's grounds was nine years ago in Pakistan.

The Pakistan side took part in India's Golden Jubilee tournament in May last year and India paid a return trip to play three one-day matches in September 1997.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Khalid Mahmood, however, said his board was seeking official assurance.

``The Pakistan Board will make serious preparations only after official clearance from the Indian Board,'' he was reported as saying.

Pakistan are scheduled to play Tests in Calcutta, Madras and Bangalore and avoid Bombay to thwart threats from Shiv Sena which rules Maharastr, of which Bombay or Mumbai is the capital.

Former Pakistani players Waqar Hasan and Haseeb Ehsan also welcomed the Indian Premier's assurance.

``The regular cricket series will pave the way for a friendly atmosphere and with people going to respective countries, the enmity will lessen,'' he said.

Ramiz Raja, who led Pakistan to India last May, said Vajpayee's statement was courageous.

``He has come out with a courageous statement snubbing his allies of wrongdoings. Every Pakistani and Indian cricket fan enjoys whenever we play each other and the show must go on,'' Raja said.