Safety concerns force Pakistan to stage Australia tour in UAE

Pakistan cricket authorities have been forced to schedule all five one-day internationals against Australia in the UAE following Cricket Australia’s refusal to visit the country over security fears.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had invited Australia to play two of the five ODIs in Pakistan to further their attempts to revive international cricket at home, suspended since attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

Since then Pakistan has hosted the finals of Pakistan Super League for the past two years and played matches against a World XI, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

A West Indies women’s team recently played three T20 internationals in Karachi from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3. But Cricket Australia acted on their government’s advice not to tour Pakistan. Australian senior teams have refused to play there since 1998 over security fears.

PCB director Zakir Khan was disappointment with refusal to tour.

“The PCB was optimistic that it will be able to convince Australia to send its side for some matches after successfully staging highprofile bilateral international series,” he said.

“But we are disappointed for the enthusiastic and passionate cricket fans in Pakistan who will now have to wait for some more time before they can see Australia playing in our country.”

Australia’s