The Australia A cricket team would continue with their tour as per the
schedule despite the twin blast that rocked the city of Rawalpindi today, Board
officials said.
Shafqat Naghmi, chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, said
the Australians had not expressed any concerns and were given a detailed briefing
on the security situation.
"These incidents are sad and shocking. They don't help
our cause at all. The last time they were here in 2005 also a blast took place
in Lahore but they stayed on. Even when their inspection team was here last
month a blast took place in Islamabad," Naghmi said.
He said the Board and ministry of interior were committed to providing the
best security arrangements for the touring players and officials.
"What helps is that this season Rawalpindi is hosting
no international match as its stadium is being renovated. But still when these
blasts take place it is not a good thing," he said.
South Africa is also due to tour Pakistan to play two
Tests and five one-day internationals from September 27 but they had their matches
shifted from Peshawar and Pindi.
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