Australia's confirmation to Indian tour draws flak from Pakistan

Lahore, Sep 16 (UNI) The PCB has again came down heavily on Cricket Australia (CA) over its ''double standards'' after it confirmed the tour of India and said such a decision was always expected considering the financial powers with the BCCI.

''It is just another exhibition of double standards by Australia. They did not accept our assurance that they would be provided top security to play in Pakistan,'' Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said today.

''But when India assured them about the security, they accepted it and are willing to play in India which has also seen a series of bomb blasts in recent months at major cricket venues. Australia, in fact, would be playing a Test in Delhi,'' Naghmi added.

Cricket Australia (CA) commissioned a review team to see the security in India after last week's bomb blasts in the capital which saw more than 30 people dead and scores injured.

Australia postponed their Test tour to Pakistan earlier this year citing security reasons and was also among the four countries to express safety fears about playing the Champions Trophy in Pakistan which eventually led to the posponement of the tournament by a year.

Naghmi pointed out that Pakistan had assured the Australians that they would be provided state-level security and said no country or city could declare itself safe from terrorist attacks.

''So what was the difference in the two countries and we would like to know that. In a way, we are happy that they are going to India and we hope they will now fulfil their commitment of touring Pakistan next April,'' Naghmi said.

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