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Australian cricket officials could rule within a fortnight to pull the national side out of its scheduled visit to Pakistan because of security concerns.
Cricket Australia (CA) and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) are currently no closer to ruling on the world champions visiting Pakistan in September for the Champions Trophy, despite a deadly suicide blast in the capital city Islamabad on the weekend.
Nineteen people were killed on the night of the Asia Cup final between Sri Lanka and India, which prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to promise to pull the Champions Trophy out of Pakistan if there was any threat of more violence.
But Australia, whose players have already expressed concerns at visiting the strife-torn nation, could scrap its visit beforehand, depending on security reports.
ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said the organisation was awaiting reports from security expert Reg Dickason and the Federation of International Cricket Associations, which could determine whether Ricky Ponting’s side tours.
“They’re compiling reports which we should have within the next two weeks,” Marsh said.
“Until you have all the information you can’t make a final decision, but the concern levels certainly rise whenever there are bombings.”
CA also expected to make a decision in the next two weeks, according to spokesman Peter Young.
Australia haven’t toured Pakistan since 1998 because of security concerns.
But players from New Zealand, England and South Africa have also expressed concern over playing in Pakistan this year.
Sri Lanka and South Africa have been suggested as possible alternate venues should the ICC decide to relocate the tournament.
The Islamabad bombing had no impact on the Asia Cup final, which was played in Karachi.
Islamabad is not scheduled to host any matches in the Champions Trophy.
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