Procter gives Pakistan his seal of approval

Mike Procter has given his seal of approval to Pakistan's security arrangements, ahead of South Africa's Test series later this month. Procter, a former South African allrounder, has been officiating as an ICC match referee during Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh, and described the preparations for the tour as "excellent".

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) is due to test the water for itself this Sunday, when a delegation arrives to discuss the concerns surrounding the matches in Karachi and Peshawar. The UCB has warned that they will not be "sending a team anywhere" unless they are satisfied, but Procter believes their fears are misguided.

"It would not be fair for me to comment on the UCB stand on playing in Karachi and Peshawar," said Procter. "They have their concerns, but they have been in touch with me and taken feedback from me. I have given them my frank views. But I can understand that the negative image and information about some cities in Pakistan to the outside world does have a bearing on how others think about playing in Pakistan."

Last May, New Zealand pulled out of a Test match in Karachi following a bomb explosion outside the team hotel, while Peshawar - in the North West Frontier Province - has been viewed with suspicion by touring sides because of its proximity to Afghanistan. Both cities, however, held Tests in the recent Bangladesh series, and both passed without incident. The UCB has nonetheless asked that the venues be moved.