LONDON, June 24: Pakistan still hold out hope that Australia will be persuaded to tour the country for a split cricket series in August and October this year.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will attempt to convince Australian officials during the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in London that Pakistan is safe to visit.

PCB director Munawar Rana, who is in attendance at the ICC meetings, told BBC Sport Online, that it was an area of prime concern.

“We will discuss this matter with Australian officials here (in London) to tell them that Pakistan is still a safe place to play cricket,” he said.

“We are not saying that nothing has happened. But the important thing is that these acts of terrorism can happen anywhere in the world, even in the safest places.”

Several Australia players expressed grave reservations about visiting Pakistan following the car bomb that killed 14 people in Karachi last month and also caused the cancellation of the second Test against New Zealand.

“There were three car bomb attacks two days ago by Spanish Basque separatists. Does it mean that no team should go there or no visitors should visit Spain?” Rana asked.

“We are also victims of these acts of terrorism and need support to counter them. Refusal to playing in Pakistan isn’t the solution.”

Munawar Rana said New Zealand were provided exceptional security and the visitors themselves acknowledged that.

“And we can also assure the Australians that similar arrangements will be made for their tour as well.

But he admitted that Pakistan might have to consider switching the series to Australia or a neutral venue if Australia could not be persuaded.

Rana said New Zealand had also agreed in principle quite some time ago to participate in a triangular competition with the two teams in August.

Rana also spoke of serious financial losses the PCB was incurring because of the cancellations of home matches by different countries.

“It’s crippling. We have lost millions and millions of dollars only because of the Indian refusal to play Pakistan.” But he hopes that Pakistan will be compensated for the losses.

“The finance committee of the ICC has already evaluated our demands and its recommendations will be placed before the executive board meeting for a decision.”—PPI