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Cricket
The tour is on — reactions
Kapil Dev
KAPIL DEV (former Indian captain and coach): The Government is the best judge to decide on the security of the players. They must have taken into consideration every thing before allowing the team to tour Pakistan. No Government would risk its players for a series and I will not even doubt that the tour will not be safe for the cricketers.
K. SRIKKANTH (former Indian captain): When it comes to India touring Pakistan, the Government is in the best position to judge. I am happy that the tour is on. The Indian side, despite the ordinary last week in Australia, is in brilliant form and I expect Sourav Ganguly's boys to beat Pakistan. I was the captain when India last toured Pakistan for a Test series, in 1989, and we did well to draw the series with an experienced team. During that series a star in Sachin Tendulkar was born. As captain it was very satisfying for me to return from a tough Pakistan campaign with my team undefeated in a four-Test series.
MADAN LAL (former Indian cricketer): Pakistan has assured adequate security measures. It is a good decision by the Government since it would mean revival of the cricket series between the two countries. It is very good news for the cricket-loving people of both the countries. It would be great exposure for the young members of the side. This tour will also test the players to the hilt.
CHANDU BORDE (former National Selection Committee chairman): India and Pakistan have been the leading forces in world cricket. The people of both countries have always treated cricketers as `demigods'. There is nothing like the two coming together to show the world that there is no ill-will as far as sports is concerned, be it cricket, hockey, football, athletics or even kabbadi.
VIJAY KUMAR MALHOTRA (All India Council Of Sports president): What has the cricket tour got to do with party politics? If the Indian team wins, the whole country will celebrate. Victory and defeat are part of the game. Where does party politics figure in this. We have always welcomed a thaw in our relations.
INZAMAM-UL-HAQ (Pakistan cricket captain): I welcome the decision of the Indian government. The two countries should play cricket on a more regular basis. In fact, there should be a system where at least every two years the teams visit each other's countries for a series. It will be good for cricket, especially for our youngsters. We have very good relations with the Indian players and it will only improve if we play more regularly. I also want to assure that there is no security threat in Pakistan. The PCB and the Pakistan government have taken all measures to address this concern. This series should not be viewed on a win-loss record. That doesn't matter, it is a start that has been made for playing more and more cricket between India and Pakistan. This will encourage more people-to-people contact and improve bilateral ties between the two countries. The Indian team has been playing very well for the last one year. I am sure all the matches will be very competitive.
SAMI-UL HASSAN (Pakistan Cricket Board spokesperson): It's a great relief for us. We are thankful to the Indian Foreign Minister and the Indian Government for giving this great news at a time when there were reports in the media that the tour may be called off. We promise you that the Indian team will be provided extraordinary security and other arrangements and we are hundred per cent confident that the tour will go on trouble-free and controversy-free.
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