Melbourne, May 2 (TNS): Cricket Australia will not consider the possibility of any of their tour matches being moved from the UAE to Pakistan, a cricket website quoting Australian officials reported on Wednesday.
Reports in the Pakistani media have suggested that the PCB are keen to relocate a T20 encounter between the two nations, after games against Sri Lanka and West Indies took place in the country in the past year.
Cricket New Zealand have also revealed that they have been approached over moving games to Pakistan in recent weeks, but it seems unlikely that Australia will be taking up the offer.
“The safety and security of Australian players is our number one priority,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson told AAP.
“From an Australia team perspective, we are not contemplating moving our current bilateral-tour arrangements from taking on Pakistan in the Middle East, when they host the next series.”
Australia haven’t visited Pakistan since 1998 while New Zealand have not been back since 2003 due to security concerns.
“At the moment, NZC is doing due diligence on the request and consulting with security providers, the government and the players,” a New Zealand spokesperson said.
“We will respond to the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) when this process has been completed.”
Courtesy: The Cricketer
