Cricket Australia officials to discuss Pak tour with Rudd Government

Melbourne, Feb.29 : Cricket Australia officials and players' association boss Paul Marsh will travel to Canberra next week to speak with government officials about the safety of touring Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is working on a revised tour schedule for March-April and CA will wait to see details before sending a pre-tour security team to assess the risks in the volatile country.

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson has insisted the Australians must tour.

"Look, I have been living in Pakistan now for the last few months and there are one or two places where security is an issue, but apart from that, Pakistan remains a safe place to play cricket," he told reporters in Pakistan.

If they don't come it will be a big disappointment, not only for the fans, but also for the sport in general in the country ... I think we must have this series. Australia must tour," The Australian quoted him, as saying.

ANI