Wasim Akram says Indian tour must go on

The reaction followed the digging up of Ferozshah stadium pitch in New Delhi by Hindu militants from the Shiv Sena party on Wednesday.

``Its very sad to hear that some people are bent upon mixing sports and politics. Its very sad that they have showed their anger on a pitch whereas it should have been left to play only,'' Wasim told AFP.

``We are going there to better the relations between the two countries and I hope the Indian Government will not allow a handful of people to deprive cricket lovers of some action and tension packed cricket.''

Pakistan and India have not played any Test series for the last nine years and the scheduled tour will be Pakistan's first to India since 1987. Pakistan have cancelled two tours of India due to threats from Hindu fundamentalists.

``Both governments have given the go ahead for the tour and Indian premier has been very keen to see the tour go through so it should go on,'' the Pakistan captain said.

Pakistan are scheduled to play three Tests, three limited over games and two side games during their proposed tour.

A Pakistan hockey team is due to play four tests in India in February but hockey officials said the tour was in no doubt.

Wasim said security concerns would increase after the incident but said he has never felt insecure playing in India.

``People in India are very loving and caring and they want to see Pakistani players in action,'' Wasim said.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Majid Khan said Thursday that the Pakistan team's security was the responsibility of India and his board was in constant touch with Pakistani officials there.

Former selector committee chairman Hasib Ehsan said the Indian tour should be cancelled.

``What will we achieve by touring India when we are so unwelcome there and this latest digging up issue is very serious and puts Pakistani players' security in danger?'' Ehsan said.

``On a much lesser issue, the West Indies and Australia had refused to play in Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup. Pakistani security must clear the arrangements or else there is no use of the tour.''

Former player Haroon Rasheed who managed Pakistan to India in the Independence Cup in 1997 said the tour hangs in balance.

``It still depends on both the Governments and respective Boards. The fear has crept in and they can also harm the players,'' Rasheed said.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Khalid Mahmood, who was due to leave for New Zealand to attend ICC meeting, was not available for comment.

Mahmood last month said his board would monitor security till the last moment and then decide about touring India.