March 07, 2008	Friday	Safar 28, 1429

LAHORE, March 6: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has ruled out any shift in stance over playing the forthcoming home series against Australia at a neutral venue despite the contest being increasingly jeopardised due to security concerns.

“No, the PCB will not shift the series to any other venue and all such reports regarding the board considering other options are totally rubbish,” said PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf while speaking to Dawn on Thursday.

“The PCB has already rejected such a proposal made by Cricket Australia (CA) during a meeting in Dubai last month because we feel that it will damage our cricket,” added Dr Ashraf.

The PCB chief was clarifying reports from a few Australian newspapers who on Wednesday had speculated that the PCB may soften its earlier stand of not playing the series at a neutral venue.

Ponting’s men from Down Under are to tour Pakistan from March 29 for two Tests and four One-day International besides a Twenty-20 game. They are, however, yet to confirm the tour, having expressed serious security concerns in the region following a spate of bomb blasts across the country.

The CA and the Australian Cricket Association (ACA) had been briefed by their foreign affairs department over the security situation in Pakistan a couple of days before and a final decision in this regard is expected anytime now.

Asked if the PCB had any contact with the CA after the foreign affairs briefing, the chairman replied in the negative.

“We did not receive any call from CA after the briefing. I don’t know what is the latest in Australia after the briefing but the PCB is ready to assure them top level security in Pakistan,” he said.

“We are hosting Asia Cup in July and the entire world will see how safe is Pakistan as far as cricket is concerned,” he said.

“I believe Pakistan is as safe for cricket as it was a year ago. During the past one year we have successfully hosted the West Indies, South Africa and Zimbabwe besides playing matches here against Australia A and other junior outfits.”

“If today we decide in favour of a neutral venue, the other teams will also make it a practice and that will only harm the game,” he said.

He confirmed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) role had been very positive in the episode.

He said the ICC may send a security delegation on PCB’s request only if the CA refuses the tour.