I’m Thackeray’s guest: Miandad

NEW DELHI, Jan 21: Pakistan cricket coach and former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad today expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Atal ...

NEW DELHI, Jan 21: Pakistan cricket coach and former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad today expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for ensuring that the tour is on.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Pakistan High Commissioner Ashraf Jehangir Qazi at his residence here, Miandad recounted an incident when the Wills World Cup 1996 was on. He said, there were some in India who thought that if India makes it to the final, they will not be allowed to play in Lahore. It was then that he had assured the that no such thing would happen.

He had also requested Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray to be his personal guest to the final. "This time it was actually his turn to invite me, but he did not. Since I have already come, I have automatically become his guest. Now he has to take care of me," Miandad said in a lighter vein.

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Referring to the Sena’s opposition to the tour before it was withdrawn earlier in the day today, Miandad said he was never worried about his safety in India even when therewere serious doubts about the trip taking place. All the players, including skipper Wasim Akram apart from former diplomat and team manager Shahryar Khan were present at the dinner.

Earlier, Home Minister L K Advani called on Pakistani cricketers at the hotel shortly after their arrival from Lahore in an apparent bid to assure them of safety and security during their two-leg tour of India.