Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (Alex Brown)

CRICKET Australia will face a multimillion-dollar fine if it opts against touring Pakistan, after the Pakistan Cricket Board announced it would not consider staging the series in a neutral venue.

Political and social unrest in Pakistan has caused a degree of concern among members of the Australian team before the tour, which is scheduled to begin in March and incorporating three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match.

Andrew Symonds has publicly expressed his concerns about touring, and Australian Cricketers’ Association president Darren Lehmann recently stated: “If there’s any risk at all, the tour might not go ahead.”

While Australia’s last tour of Pakistan in 2002-03 was transferred to the neutral venues of Colombo and Sharjah due to safety concerns, the PCB has ruled out such a move for next year’s series. By doing so, it has essentially guaranteed that Australia, should they withdraw from the tour, face a fine of at least $US2 million ($2.33m) for not honouring commitments under the International Cricket Council’s Future Tours Program.

“Either the series will be played in Pakistan or cancelled but there will be no neutral venue,” Shafqat Naghmi, PCB’s chief operating officer, told Pakistan’s News publication.

A Cricket Australia delegation will complete a security tour of Pakistan early in the new year - after the nation’s contentious general election. CA has previously stated it will make no decision on the status of the series until after the inspection tour.

Pakistan’s Australian coach, Geoff Lawson, is adamant Australia should fulfil their touring obligations. His sentiments were shared by Naghmi, who insisted security measures would ensure the safety of all touring players.

“We believe that the Australians will not be at any risk in Pakistan,” Naghmi said. “The Australian delegation will come here in January after the general elections, and we are confident that they would agree to send their team for the series.”

■ Galle: Mahela Jayawardene surpassed Aravinda de Silva to set a Sri Lankan Test record for centuries (21) while helping the hosts reach 6-384 at stumps on the second day of the third and final Test against England on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Resuming on 4-147, Sri Lanka were soon in a commanding position, with Jayawardene finishing on 149 not out, while Tillakaratne Dilshan was run out for 84. English paceman Steve Harmison took 3-72.

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Tags: australian cricket board, pakistan tour