Australian tour to Pakistan postponed

JOINT CRICKET AUSTRALIA/PAKISTAN CRICKET BOARD MEDIA RELEASE

Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced that the Australian Cricket team tour to Pakistan scheduled for March/April 2008 has been postponed.

New dates for the tour will be decided in the near future.

The Chairmen of the two boards will meet in Dubai next weekend to further discuss possible dates for the deferred tour.

The ICC Future Tours Program is complex and changes require extensive consultation with other member boards with whom Australia and Pakistan have existing commitments. This process will be undertaken over coming weeks.

Commenting on the decision, CA Chairman Mr Creagh O’Connor said:

"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 Pakistan Cricket Board and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future".

PCB Chairman Dr. Nasim Ashraf said:

"We are obviously very disappointed at this decision.

"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.