The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that it is giving serious consideration to a proposal that home advantage against Australia in August be surrendered because of continuing security fears. "We have given it serious consideration and it will be discussed with Australian officials in London," Brigadier Munawar Rana, a PCB director, told Reuters. "We know the situation is difficult."

Several Australian players have said that they would not travel Pakistan following the bomb attack in early May which led to the cancellation of New Zealand's tour. Last week's bombing in Karachi which left 11 dead would only have increased the doubts among those still willing to make the trip.

"This tragic event increases concerns about the tour," James Sutherland , chief executive of the Australian Cricket Board, said. "There's no reason to rush into a decision today. We will make a decision based on the safety of our players and team management." However, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has offered to host the series, and given that it is unlikely that the contest will go ahead if Pakistan insist that they play it at home, it seems to be Australia or bust.

The International Cricket Council, who meet in London later this month, will discuss the matter of cancelled tours and how they affect their fledgling Test Championship table. In March, the PCB pressed for compensation for the cancelled tours which have left its finances in a parlous state. At that time it insisted that Pakistan was a safe place to visit. Events in recent weeks have left that argument in tatters.

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