MELB
OURNE (AFP) - Not withstanding the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Cricket Australia has decided to go ahead with the One-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates but said a final decision will be taken after receiving report from its security experts.
Australia are supposed to play five One-dayers and a Twenty20 match against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi and Dubai between April 22 and May 7.
"We're scheduled to play against Pakistan in the UAE starting in late April, at this stage that tour will go ahead as planned," CA CEO James Sutherland said.
At least six Sri Lankan players were injured when terrorists opened fire and launched grenades at the team bus carrying them to the stadium for the second Test.
Sutherland said the attack has forced CA officials into a huddle and they would be going by what the security experts have to say on the forthcoming tour to the Gulf country.
"Of course with any tour we play overseas, it is always subject to the latest security advice we have. We will go through our usual course of pre-tour visits ahead of that tour. Within that we reserve judgement at any stage if we feel it is not safe for out team to be in a certain place, we will take appropriate action and the appropriate steps just as we have in the past," he said in a CA statement.
Sutherland added that steps would also be taken to put the players under more security cover.
"We're very aware and very concerned about security issues surrounding our team, and to others. Other members of Cricket Australia staff travel overseas from time to time. We need to be very aware and take the best possible advice," he said.
Sutherland, though, refused to be drawn into speculating on Pakistan's chances of hosting the 2011 World Cup.
"That's way too far ahead to be predicting the future. The 2011 World Cup is two years away, there's a lot to happen between now and then. Needless to say, there would obviously be security concerns about Pakistan, who are one of the four host nations for the 2011 World Cup. Let's see how that unfolds," said Sutherland.