The ICC has supported the decision taken by the Pakistan Cricket Board and New Zealand Cricket to cancel the Karachi Test match, following the killing of 14 people in a bomb blast incident in Karachi today.

Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Speed said:" Given this extremely grave situation the ICC fully understands the decision taken by the two Boards to cancel the second Test match. Our immediate concern is for the safety and security of the players and officials. The New Zealand party and ICC match officials Mike Procter, Steve Bucknor and Rudi Koertzen will be returning home on the earliest available flights this evening.

"Given the proximity of the bomb to the team hotel it is an enormous relief that no one involved with either team has been seriously injured in this appalling incident. Obviously we have great sympathy for those who have been directly affected and the loss of life puts the decision to cancel this Test match into a true perspective. The PCB has worked extremely hard to provide a high level of security during this tour but it is virtually impossible to predict and control extraneous events," added Mr Speed.

The ICC will work with the Pakistan Cricket Board to explore the possibility of rescheduling the Test as well as securing the forthcoming Test and One Day series involving Pakistan, Australia and New Zealand during August and September.

Media contact:

Mark Harrison
ICC Communications Manager
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7266 7913
Mobile: + 44 (0) 787 944 1891
Email: mark.harrison@icc-cricket.com

© ICC