Fresh violence in Pakistan may prevent CA rep's visit to assess security situation

Sydney, Mar 3 : Following a fresh spate of violence in Pakistan last weekend, including two incidents of suicide attacks, the Australian Cricketers Association has refused to send a representative as part of any delegation to Pakistan to assess security situation.

The shortened Australia's tour to Pakistan is scheduled to begin later this month.

According to The Australian, the ACA board, made up of current and former players, confirmed at a meeting last week that it was not safe to send any of its officials to Pakistan. This confirmed revelations made last month that the players will not tour regardless of any official decision by CA (Cricket Australia).

In northwest Pakistan, nearly 1000 people were attending a funeral for a senior police officer on Friday when a suicide bomber killed at least 44 and injured 90. The police officer had been killed earlier in the day in a bomb blast along with three others. Nearly 30 persons were injured in the prior blast.

In further violence on Saturday, a suicide bomber rammed his car into a security vehicle, killing a civilian, a security official and injuring 21 others.

Australian consulate offices in Karachi and Lahore have been closed until further notice for security reasons.

Australia was scheduled to tour from March 10, playing three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

ANI