BBC SPORT | Cricket | ICC offers hand to Pakistan

Cricket's governing body looks likely to give Pakistan financial assistance after Australia became the latest country to pull out of a scheduled tour.

Australian officials cited player safety fears behind the cancellation of three Tests scheduled for October, but Pakistan claimed they could face bankruptcy as a result.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) estimates it has already lost �16m after India, New Zealand and West Indies all pulled out of trips in the last year.

It's much more frightening when you see it from the outside

Imran Khan

Claims for compensation have so far been turned down.

But International Cricket Council (ICC) president Malcolm Gray has suggested that future revenues from ICC tournaments could be made available early.

Feature: Pakistan examines tour options

"June's meeting with all boards ... agreed in principle to a scheme that would allow any home board affected by the cancellation of a tour to draw against its future entitlements from the ICC," Gray said in a statement.

"The mechanics of this scheme are now being finalized and I would expect that the PCB to be the first board to be able to draw against its future entitlements if it deems it necessary."

The ICC has promised to take the lead in finding "a suitable alternate location".

Perception abroad

Former Pakistan captain Imran Khan said earlier in the day that Australia's decision would leave Pakistan cricket on its knees.

"It's devastating for Pakistan cricket," Imran told BBC Radio Five Live.

Imran Khan
Imran voiced Pakistan's financial worries
"Firstly because the fans will not be able to see Australia, which is an extremely popular team.

"But also because this could lead to bankruptcy for the Pakistan board as this is not the first tour that has been cancelled.

However, Imran said he understood the Australians' decision not to make the trip.

"It's much more frightening when you see it from the outside," he added.

"For us living in the country we get used to the odd terrorist attack, but outside it's very frightening.

Australia right to cancel? Have your say

"The New Zealand experience, plus other terror attacks, probably convinced the Australians it's too risky for them."

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said they were still hopeful of playing the three-Test series, but it would have to be on a neutral venue.

Bangladesh, UAE and Sri Lanka have been mentioned as likely alternatives

Boycott

PCB chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia admitted the news had come as a blow.

"We have been hit hard by the cancellation of the tour and it's a huge disappointment for us," he told BBC Sport Online.
Australia's Shane Warne and Steve Waugh
Warne and Waugh expressed doubts over the tour

"We would ask the ICC why is Pakistan being singled out?"

Zia said the Australian side would not have been a target for terrorists had they decided to go through with the tour.

Members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding vowing to boycott any country that refuses to tour any one of them.

"We have several options available, first we would talk to the ICC, then activate the ACC to consider an Asian boycott," Zia added.

But ICC president elect, Pakistani Ehsan Mani, played down fears of an Asian split in Test cricket.

"I don't see international cricket be split in Asia and sincerely hope the situation will not go to boycotts," he said.

"You have ten Test playing countries and can't have resentments between two or three countries."

Additional reporting by Shahid Hasmi


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