March 09, 2008	Sunday	Safar 30, 1429

KARACHI, March 8: Cricket Australia (CA) has almost decided not to send their national squad to Pakistan after getting a briefing from their High Commission in Islamabad, but will not announce a decision until next week.

Well-informed sources said that although the PCB is still making efforts through the government to save the tour, Zorica McCarthy, the Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan, had advised the Aussies against touring the country because of the present security situation.

“CA and Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) have virtually decided not to undertake the (Pakistan) tour after the briefing they got from the high commissioner and independent external security advisers but they will announce this next week,” a source said.

It added that the Australians wanted the PCB to consider shifting the series to neutral venues in a bid to avoid an entire cancellation.

However, the PCB insisted it will not play at neutral venues which it terms as a dangerous option, beneficial neither to both the boards or cricket in general.

“The feedback CA and ACA have got is negative about the security situation in Pakistan and the travel advice is ‘don’t go to Pakistan’. So it would be impossible for them to now play in Pakistan against this sort of advice,” the source said.

Australia had also cancelled their tour to Pakistan in 2002 and it was later shifted to neutral venues.

“Pakistan stands to lose around eight million dollars if the Australians don’t come,” one source said.—Agencies