Morgan questions security during Lahore attack

London, Mar 7 (PTI) Pakistan Saturday came in for sharp
criticism from the International Cricket Council (ICC) which
said the level of security provided to the terror-hit Sri
Lankan cricketers were "not as expected" despite a categorial
assurance of foolproof measures.

ICC President David Morgan said both the ICC and Sri
Lanka Cricket were satisfied with the security assurances
given by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the checks carried out
by the authorities ahead of the series.

"Our people were in touch with the Pakistan board and had
assurances of presidential level security. We were satisfied
as were the Sri Lankan Board. Sadly, it would seem it was not
as expected," he said.

The ICC President, however, refused to make any comment
on PCB chairman Ejaz Butt's claim that security was adequate.

"I have spoken with Ijaz Butt and I think his views are
well known. I also spoke with Mahela Jayawardene and I had his
account of security, and also Chris Broad, and I think it
would be wrong for me to comment on widely differing
accounts," Morgan told the BBC.

Incidentally, both ICC match referee Broad and Sri Lankan
skipper Jayawardene questioned the level of security provided
to the visiting team as well as match officials during
Tuesday's terror attack.

Six Sri Lankan players and assistant coach Paul Fabrace
were injured, while eight people were killed when 12 gunmen
opened fired at the team convoy while it was heading towards
the Gaddafi stadium for the third day's play in the second
Test.

Morgan said a detailed report on the incident would be at
ICC's hand before its next executive meeting in Dubai on April
17.

"Representatives of the two teams will give first-hand
accounts to us when we meet," he said.

He also dismissed suggestions that the ICC was also
responsible for the security arrangements during any
international series.

"I doubt that could be put into effect...for bilateral
tours the duty of care lies with the employer and it's the
home board that employs the players. The ICC only becomes
involved when the host and the visitor disagree about
security," Morgan stated.

However, Morgan said the ICC was committed to help
Pakistan in its endeavour to arrange international series on
away or neutral venues as long as the situation does not
improve in their home soil.

"We are all agreed we must do anything possibly to allow
Pakistan to continue to play international cricket away from
home or on neutral territory until we are able to play back
there. It would be wrong for them to become isolated," Morgan
said.

Asked whether the terror attack had cast a shadow of
uncertainity over the 2011 World Cup to be co-hosted by India,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the ICC President said,
"We would need to make a decision on venues 15 months ahead of
the start and we would have to be certain it could be held in
the subcontinent within 12 months of the start.

"The organising group are well on with the assessment of
what has to be done to produce and safe, secure and successful
tournament," he added. PTI SSC
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