India should tour Pakistan to send out message, says PCB chief

CRICKET: KARACHI, Nov 29, 2008; - India should tour Pakistan early next year as planned to send a message to extremists that cricket will not be cowed by terrorists, Pakistan's cricket chief said Friday.

This week's coordinated terrorist attacks in Mumbai which have killed at least 130 people forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to cancel the last two home one-dayers against England.

It also postponed next month's lucrative Twenty20 Champions League due to security fears.

India's tour of Pakistan was already in doubt because of Indian fears about the security situation in Pakistan. "If India sends its team to Pakistan it will be a clear-cut message to the terrorists that cricket will go on," said Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt.

"My heartiest wish is that Indian team tours Pakistan, but in the worst case scenario - and don't take me wrong that I don't want cricket in my country - we may shift the series to neutral venues," he added.

Butt said he also had to cancel a visit to India next week to convince BCCI officials to continue with the tour, scheduled for January-February.

The BCCI last week informed the PCB that it wanted clearance from the New Delhi government to go on the tour.

The Indian government refused to clear its junior hockey team's tour to Pakistan earlier this month, raising fears that the cricket tour will suffer the same fate or will be shifted to neutral venues.

In light of the Mumbai attacks, Butt said the final decision on India's tour was up to the respective governments.

"The security situation is out of our control and after what has happened in Mumbai the decision on the Indian team tour of Pakistan is now in two governments' hands," he said.

"Relocating the home series to neutral venues were a huge financial loss in the past so its detestable, but in an effort to give our players some cricket we will have to do that, but as a last resort." The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and England have offered to host the series.

The International Cricket Council put off September's Champions Trophy in Pakistan over security fears.

South Africa had pulled out of the event while Australia, New Zealand and England were reluctant to tour - all on security fears.

Australia also postponed their full tour to Pakistan in March this year over security fears. AFP