Islamabad: In the wake of Britain's participation in the US-led war on Iraq, the Pakistan Cricket Board has sent an official to England to review security arrangements ahead of the country's proposed tour in June. A Board official said the visit by Zakir Khan, general manager, Cricket Operations, had been necessitated by the threat of IRA movement in the United Kingdom, recent bomb threats and blasts in London and Britain's involvement in the Gulf war. "We just want to be sure that if Pakistan plays in England our players don't face any security problems there because of these issues. Security today is a worldwide problem and not just restricted to a few countries," local daily 'The News' quoted the official as saying. Pakistan will play three One-day Internationals besides some warm-up games, which are not part of the regular England season. Though the PCB sources cited security concerns for sending Zakir Khan to England, news reports here suggested that the mission was undertaken as a retaliatory measure for what England did in 2000. UK officials had visited Pakistan to review security scenario prior to the Englishmen's tour to the country three years back. The Wales and England Cricket Board had sent a senior representative to check the security arrangements and conditions in Pakistan. During his visit Zakir Khan would meet with ECB officials and also security experts and visit the venues where Pakistan is scheduled to play its matches.

Tags: cricket, pakistan cricket board, pcb, england cricket team versus pakistan cricket team, security arrangements, zakir khan, cricket operations, ira movement, united kingdom, bomb threats, blasts, gulf.