MELBOURNE, Dec 27: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has voiced support for his national cricket team’s tour of Pakistan next year despite the political situation there, raising concerns over security of the team.

Acknowledging the tense security situation in Pakistan, Kevin Rudd said: “Security is the foremost concern which many of us have for Australian team abroad and Pakistan’s got some challenges, real challenges, at the moment.

“I think we’ll sort that all out with Cricket Australia (CA) as the time approaches,” he added. “It’s always hard and difficult, but (cricket) is a great international game, it’s a great language of international diplomacy.”

The Australians are scheduled to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 international during their tour to Pakistan.—Agencies