The Australian Cricket team is considering canceling their tour of Pakistan in March, which will effectively cancel three tests and five one-day games. From Malaysia Sun:
Melbourne, Dec.29 : The Australian cricket team is almost certain to cancel a tour of Pakistan this March.
Cricket Australia said it was monitoring the situation, but stark warnings posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website yesterday strongly advised against visits.
“We continue to receive a stream of credible reports indicating terrorists are in the advanced stages of planning attacks. These attacks could target Western or Australian interests and individuals and places frequented by foreigners,” The Australian quoted the Foreign Office advisory, as saying.
Australia is due to leave in mid-March to play three Tests and five one-day games.
Players have expressed reservations about the tour even before the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Test batsman Michael Clarke said he would leave the decision to the Australian Cricketers Association and Cricket Australia.
“We are out of our depths, it’s something we probably shouldn’t even comment on because we don’t know enough about it, or I certainly don’t know enough about it,” The Australian quoted Clarke, as saying.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said yesterday his Government would provide advice to the cricketers.
“Our first and foremost concern, like Cricket Australia’s, is the safety and security of the Australian cricket team and we will be providing, through the Government, every source of information necessary for Cricket Australia to be making an informed judgment about the future of that particular tour,” he said.
More at IHT — it’s not just Australia worried.