Symonds not to tour Pak next year

Melbourne, Dec 30 (UNI) Aussie all-rounder Andrew Symonds has ruled himself out of the Pakistan tour next year following the turmoil in the country in the aftemath of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination.

''I'm not interested in going into a situation that's dangerous, where people are getting killed and hurt. There's no point in that in my opinion,'' Symonds said.

''I'm giving it some serious thought. At the end of the day, it's a game of cricket. I take my cricket very seriously and I love playing for Australia but I'm not going to put myself in a situation where I can be harmed. There's no need, not for a game of cricket.'' Symonds insists Aussie players are worried and in two minds about going to the sub-continental nation.

''There is obviously huge concern. After stumps (on day three against India), we watched the television report in the dressing room and the entire room stopped to listen to it,'' he said.

''James Sutherland (Cricket Australia chief executive) was in the dressing room talking to Ricky (Ponting). I don't know what it was about but I would say it had something to do with Pakistan,'' he added.

Australia are scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 match in Pakistan next year.

UNI