The proposed tour of Pakistan by Australia has been postponed after the tourists expressed security concerns.

Australia have pulled out of their cricket tour of Pakistan due to security fears.

Upsurge in Violence

A recent upsurge of violence in Pakistan following last month’s elections has caused Cricket Australia (CA) to postpone the tour that was scheduled to begin on March 29th.

Australia were due to play two test matches and five one-day internationals.

Speaking on behalf of Cricket Australia, John Sutherland said:

“We’ve left no stone unturned in trying to ensure that the tour could proceed as planned, but at the end of the day for us the safety and security of our employees comes first.

Playing at a neutral venue was one of the options put on the table. That’s something for the Pakistan Cricket Board to consider.

It’s their tour and we certainly sympathise with their position in understanding they desperately want the tour to go ahead in Pakistan.”

New Tour Dates

Pakistan chief Nasim Asraf will meet CA chairman Creagh O’Connor in Dubai on March 17th to discuss the possibility of rescheduling.

The tour will definitely not take place in 2008, but options may be available in either 2009 or 2010.

A PCB spokesperson said:

“We will make a sincere effort to finalise new dates soon. We will discuss all possible options.”

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, who is an Australian national, said:

“I hope this series is not postponed for long because Pakistan are in dire need of playing international cricket and more test matches.

Cricket Australia is right in carefully considering the security situation before the tour, but it is a situation nobody wants to be in.

I just hope cricket is not damaged in Pakistan because of this postponement.”

Pakistan ‘safe’ for Australia Tour

Earlier this week Lawson had commented on the possibility of the tour being postponed:

“It is just the terrorists who are succeeding if this tour does not go ahead.

The effect will be that the cultural interests of Pakistan will be destroyed in the short term and who know what will happen in the long-term?

We want the tour to go ahead for lots of reasons, not just about cricket, for bigger reasons that that.”

Pakistan Turn to Bangladesh

In an effort to arrange an alternative to the Australian series, Pakistan are in discussions over a five match one-day series and a Twenty 20 international in Bangladesh next month.

Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998.

The proposed 2002 series was played in Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates after Australia refused to travel due to safety concerns.

On May 9th Australia will leave for a tour of the West Indies.

Sources

Pakistan Cricket Board

Cricket Australia

BBC Sport