The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said it was too early to react to conflicting reports Australia will play Pakistan at a neutral venue later this year.

Australia's tour of Pakistan remained in doubt for security fears after New Zealand cancelled its tour in May after a bomb blast killed 11 people outside the New Zealand hotel.

That risk was escalated by the increased tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Kashmir region.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released a statement confirming Australia's tour in October would be played outside Pakistan. But PCB director Brigadier Munawar Rana later dismissed the statement, saying a decision was weeks away and that no formal decision had been made despite talks with the ACB last week. "The accuracy of the statement is this: that actually we don't want the Australians to rush into a decision, although ultimately it may come down to third venues," Brigadier Rana said.

"We want international politics to come into play a bit. "If India and Pakistan back off a bit on their confrontation at the moment, then there may be a chance for the Australians to decide to come to Pakistan, it may happen in two or three weeks' time."

ACB chief executive James Sutherland could not be contacted, but an ACB spokesman said a decision was likely to be made mid-July.

The spokesman said the ACB could not react until Pakistan made a final decision on where the series would be played. "It's Pakistan's decision because it's their tour," he said.

"It's out of our hands at the moment because we're not in the driving seat."

Sri Lanka, Kenya, Bangladesh, Tangier in Morocco, Sharjah and England are among the venues where the Australia-Pakistan Test series could be played. Tangier has been granted status to host Tests and will host its first international tournament in August, when Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka play a one-day series. The ACB cancelled this year's tour of Zimbabwe because of security concerns.

Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan are scheduled to play a one-day series in August, with Australia and Pakistan scheduled to play a Test series in October. Pakistan has ruled out playing the Test series in Australia.

Under ICC rulings, a series hit by security problems can be played at a neutral venue provided both countries agree.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.