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 | | Tuesday, 14 May, 2002, 18:25 GMT 19:25 UK Pakistan desperate to save tour  Warne and Waugh: Taking a break from cricket Pakistan cricket officials have pleaded with Australia not to pull out of a tour to the country later this year because of security fears.
Captain Steve Waugh and bowlers Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne believe it is too dangerous to tour following last week's bomb attack in Karachi. A total of 14 people were killed in the outrage and it also forced New Zealand to fly home on the morning of the second Test. Australia's vice-captain and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has also voiced his concerns. But the Pakistan Cricket Board are desperate to salvage the series against the world champions. "I don't want to respond to what the Australian players are saying," PCB director Brigadier Munawwar Rana said. "We would just like to repeat that we feel the other boards should allow time for the situation to be evaluated in its proper perspective. "We had requested the International Cricket Council and member boards earlier that they should put their statements on hold and wait for things to settle down. "In the present context we can understand the immediate reaction from different quarters given the impact the incident has had through the world media. "But we maintain that they should let the dust settle and then the scenario should be evaluated. "The Pakistan board itself regrets the incident and the loss of the valuable lives or the trauma caused to players from both teams. But it is something beyond our control." Warne, 32, is not prepared to wait before making up his mind. He said: "If it is on in Pakistan I don't think I would be going.
"For obvious reasons, there's a war going on there. There was a bombing involving New Zealand. If it was tomorrow and we were going, I wouldn't be going - no way. "I don't think anyone would hold it against people if they decided not to go to Pakistan. "It is a big decision, especially when you've got kids involved. "I've got three kids and there is a lot more at stake when you've got a family. It's a pretty hostile place at the moment." Zimbabwe cancellation Just before Christmas, Australia pulled out of a tour of Zimbabwe. And in 1996 they forfeited a World Cup match in Colombo because of Sri Lanka's ongoing civil war against the Tamil Tigers.
The official line on Pakistan from the Australian Cricket Board is that it is still far too early to make judgements. Chief executive James Sutherland said: "We're still months away from the tour and there are plenty of things to work through in that time. "Circumstances can change in that time which is why I don't want to be getting into hypothetical situations." Waugh admitted it was a weighty dilemma but added he had faith in the ACB. He said: "You want to go out there and play cricket, but if you're in danger you've got to consider what the options are. "They've got to send players over there who want to go. "If the players don't want to go there is not much point in sending a team." | |
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