Hayden relieved about not going to Pakistan

Australian opener Matthew Hayden has declared that cricket administrators in his country had made the right decision in postponing the tour to Pakistan.

Melbourne, Mar.12 : Australian opener Matthew Hayden has declared that cricket administrators in his country had made the right decision in postponing the tour to Pakistan.

Hayden was a happy man last night.

"Cricket has made the right decision. As players we did not feel we could be assured that travelling to Pakistan would be safe. When you have got the Department of Foreign Affairs warning about terrorist attacks and serious security fears, we had a major problem," the Daily Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, the former Australian fast bowler, insisted the cricketers would have been safe in Pakistan despite his Pakistan board agreeing to call off the tour.

"I think the Australians should have come here full steam ahead," Lawson said.

"Bombs do go off, you can't argue with that, but they are focused on targets that have nothing to do with sport."

The decision to postpone - made after talks between Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O'Connor and his Pakistani counterpart Nasim Ashraf.

ANI