South Africa to review tour security after bomb blast

LAHORE, Oct 19 (Reuters) South Africa will take advice from independent security consultants to decide whether to continue their tour of Pakistan after a suspected suicide bomber killed at least 123 people today.

The attack targeting former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto happened as she was driven through Karachi on her return from eight years in exile.

''Obviously, the security of the players is of paramount concern to us and we are shocked by the devastating incident in Karachi,'' team spokesman Owen Smith said.

''We will be getting feedback from our independent security consultants on the situation.'' South Africa played Pakistan in the first one-day international yesterday in Lahore and the second is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue.

The remaining matches are in Faisalabad on October 23, Multan October 26 and Karachi on October 29.

Security has been tight on the tour with dozens of uniformed and plain-clothed policemen and commandoes looking after the South Africa team.

They played a three-day game and the first test in Karachi without any incident.

Smith said the team management would meet with senior officials of Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to discuss the situation.

The South Africa players had a voluntarily practice session today but Smith doubted whether many would go to the stadium for nets.

Reuters AB DB1241