02 February,2012 07:36 AM IST | | AFP
Cricket's governing body will carry out a proper assessment of security in Pakistan before deciding on sending match officials for a proposed tour by Bangladesh, an official said yesterday.
International cricket has been suspended in Pakistan since the terrorists attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009.
Pakistan have invited Bangladesh for a three-match one-day series in April this year in their bid to revive international cricket at home.
The Bangladesh government will send a delegation to Pakistan in mid-February to assess security in the country before clearing the tour.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had formed a Task Team to revive cricket in Pakistan in 2009. The ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the ICC will carry out their own assessment before sending match umpires and referees for the Bangladesh series, once it is cleared.
"Safety and security is a serious issue," said Lorgat. "There are grave responsibilities on any of us who send teams or match officials (to Pakistan) and we need to do a proper assessment before we come to any conclusion about touring Pakistan."