Post-Lahore blasts, CA defers Pakistan tour

Barely two hours after the Lahore twin blasts, which has so far claimed 25 lives, Cricket Australia (CA) today postponed its Pakistan tour. The new schedule of the tour would be decided next week when PCB chief Nasim Ashraf is likely to meet CA chairman Creagh OConnor in Dubai.

Melbourne, Mar 11 : Barely two hours after the Lahore twin blasts, which has so far claimed 25 lives, Cricket Australia (CA) today postponed its Pakistan tour. The new schedule of the tour would be decided next week when PCB chief Nasim Ashraf is likely to meet CA chairman Creagh O'Connor in Dubai.

Announcing the postponement of the tour, Creagh said that it was a difficult decision in the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan.

"We are very sorry that the tour could not take place at this time. This was a difficult decision based on independent review of the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan at the moment. We wish no loss to Pakistan Cricket Board and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future," the cricinfo.com quoted Creagh as saying.

Reacting to CA's decision, Ashraf said, "We are obviously very disappointed at this decision. I guess there is not much we could do and sincerely hope that the tour of Australia to Pakistan can materialise at the earliest opportunity."

It was, however, not clear whether the CA's decision was taken after the today's blasts in Lahore..

While the first blast took place at Lahore model Town Block-F, which is very near Bilawal House and the residence of Amir Mehmood, the other occurred at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Office on Temple Road.

ANI