The ICC looks set to provide financial assistance to Pakistan's beleaguered cricket board, after Australia became the latest country to pull out of a scheduled tour due to security fears. Since England's victory at Karachi in December 2000, Pakistan has hosted just three Tests and three one-day internationals, with India, New Zealand, West Indies and Australia all pulling out of trips in the last year. But now, with losses estimated at £16m, the ICC is preparing to reach into its coffers.

Malcolm Gray, ICC's president, announced that an agreement had been reached in principle whereby any board affected by the cancellation of a tour could draw against its future entitlements from the ICC.

"The mechanics of this scheme are now being finalised," said Gray, "and I would expect the PCB to be the first to benefit if it deems it necessary."

But though in the short term such payments would be welcome, Pakistan cricket will require considerably more than tea and sympathy to recover from this latest setback. Speaking on BBC Radio, Imran Khan said that Australia's decision would leave Pakistan cricket on its knees.

"It's devastating for Pakistan cricket," said Imran, adding that bankruptcy was round the corner. However, he refused to blame the Australians: "For us living in the country we get used to the odd terrorist attack, but from outside it's very frightening. The New Zealand experience, plus other terror attacks, probably convinced the Australians it's too risky for them."

But Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia, the chairman of the PCB, was less conciliatory: "We have been hit hard by the cancellation of the tour and it's a huge disappointment for us," he said. "Nobody in Pakistan would have hit the Australians. By cancelling the tour you are bowing to terrorism. We would ask the ICC why is Pakistan being singled out?"

"We have several options available," he added. "First we would talk to the ICC, then activate the ACC [Asian Cricket Council] to consider an Asian boycott.

A boycott, however, would do little to arrest the decline in Pakistan's domestic game, where TV revenue and sponsorship is essential for a healthy future: "We are disappointed and so are Pakistani cricket fans," said Chishty Mujahid, the director of the PCB, "as Australia's pull-out will prompt a decline in local interest in the game and cause a loss in profits."

Although all efforts are being made to reschedule the series, with Bangladesh, Sharjah and Sri Lanka being offered as alternative venues, such a solution would not benefit the PCB monetarily. Their next scheduled home series is against Bangladesh in September 2003, one that is unlikely to draw the crowds.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd