Pak may travel to Australia than scrapping the tour

Agencies

Posted online: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 1331 hrs IST

Melbourne, January 22:
With uncertainty prevailing over Australia's cricket tour of Pakistan in March due to security reasons, players from the strife-torn sub-continent nation could travel Down Under to play the series than scrapping it altogether.

Pakistan Cricket Board may consider the move in a "worst-case scenario", a PCB official was quoted as saying by The Age on Tuesday.

The situation in Pakistan is volatile after assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December and subsequent deadly terrorist attacks.

"It is only the last resort, only a worst-case scenario, but if something happens and Australia can't come, then the board will discuss playing the series in Australia," he said requesting anonymity.

"If worst comes to worst, then perhaps (playing in Australia) is a better idea, as long as we swap. That would be an acceptable scenario. I would like the Pakistani spectators to watch Australia in their own stadiums, now or next year.

But the first priority is that Australia comes here," he said. The PCB official said the Board may have Ricky Ponting's side visit in November next year when Pakistan is supposed to travel to Australia but won't play at a neutral venue.

"A neutral venue is out. It doesn't help anybody to play at a neutral venue, if it is played in a third country those spectators wouldn't be interested, and we would rather entertain Australian crowds than fans from other countries" he added.

A decision on the tour will be made by CA in three weeks.