Security measures relaxed for Pak series

December 07, 2002 12:35 IST

South African cricket authorities have decided to relax security measures for the international series between South Africa and Pakistan starting with a one-day match in Durban on Sunday.

The United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA), in conjunction with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, announced the move on Friday.

The relaxation of the security measures comes after their stringent application in the recent series against Sri Lanka in a trial run before next year's World Cup, to be held in South Africa.

"The pilot project matches have given us the opportunity to observe the security measures in action," said World Cup director of security Patrick Ronan.

"It has been important to test the systems before the World Cup and we have taken note of certain measures and decided, in

consultation with the UCB, that they can be relaxed for the remaining pilot project matches between South Africa and Pakistan."

The restriction on bringing plastic water bottles and cool drink bottles into stadiums is to be lifted. The measure came in for serious criticism early in the Sri Lanka series after spectators were unable to bring their own water and cool drinks into grounds despite soaring temperatures. Flasks and other hard containers will still be barred from the grounds.

Deck chairs made of wood or plastic only will be permitted, as will aerosol cans and perfume containers. However, the public will still be prevented from bringing their own umbrellas into the grounds.

South Africa meet Pakistan in five one-day internationals followed by two Test matches in Durban and Cape Town.

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