Australia postpone Pakistan tour

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Cricket Australia announced the decision following discussions with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the International Cricket Council and while CA have not ruled out touring Pakistan at another time, no date has been set for the tour to take place.

Australia were set to arrive in Pakistan on March 29 for a shortened Tour which was scheduled to include two Test matches and five one-day internationals in April.

CA chairman Creagh O'Connor said in a statement on Tuesday: "We are very sorry that the tour could not take place at this time.

"This was a difficult decision based on independent review of the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan at the moment.

"We wish no loss to the Pakistan Cricket Board and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future."

The decision comes at a time when the Australian Government has been warning against non-essential travel to Pakistan, which has been plagued by tensions since the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in December.

O'Connor and PCB chairman Dr Nashim Ashraf will meet in Dubai next weekend to discuss a possible future date for the tour to take place with Pakistan against moving the tour to a neutral venue - as was the case in 2002 when Australia played Pakistan in a three Test tour held in Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates. Australia have not toured Pakistan since 1998.

Due to the congested international cricket calendar and the problems in Pakistan, the tour is unlikely to take place in the near future.

"We are obviously very disappointed at this decision," said PCB chairman Dr Ashraf. "I guess there is not much we could do and sincerely hope that the tour of Australia to Pakistan can materialise at the earliest opportunity."