Source: The Australian

AUSTRALIA will officially cancel the tour to Pakistan next week and is only waiting on a private security assessment before announcing the decision.

The Australian Cricketers Association has refused to send a member on a fact-finding mission for fear of endangering the employee’s safety.

CA and the ACA met officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra yesterday for a security briefing.

Both parties were barred from revealing the contents of the discussion, but a glance at the DFAT website indicates the department’s attitude to touring Pakistan.

The government is advising people to reconsider visiting the country and has closed its consulates in Karachi and Lahore, where matches are scheduled to be played.

CA and ACA are waiting on an independent security report to be completed before making their final decision, although sources told The Australian that it would make little difference as senior players and the ACA are determined not to tour.

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Tags: australia, Australian Cricketers Association, security assessment, tour to Pakistan