KARACHI, July 22: England have rejected a proposal by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play a second one-day international in Karachi on their tour this year in addition to the one already scheduled. A Pakistani cricket official said on Friday that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), having refused to play a Test match in Karachi, has now turned down a proposal to play another one-day game in the city during October-November.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan has been in London trying to convince the ECB to play more games in Karachi, but failed to convince.

A PCB source said there was genuine concern that the tour could be affected by this month’s London bomb blasts and the crackdown on militants in Pakistan.

After 9/11, Australia and West Indies cancelled cricket tours to Pakistan citing security and safety concerns, and the series were relocated to Sharjah (UAE).

South Africa also refused to play in Karachi in 2003 and last year while India too rejected a proposal for a Test match in Karachi.—Agencies