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Aussies not sure of touring Pakistan

ICC fails to convince New Zealand players
Ponting says his team will take another few days to decide

Melbourne: The ICC’s attempts at convincing jittery cricketers about the security situation in Pakistan seem to be hitting a dead end with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting saying that his teammates are still not sure about touring the strife-torn country for next month’s Champions Trophy.

“As far as the players go, there has been some concern. There is no doubt about that. There has been concern for quite a while now,” the Australian captain said after meeting ICC and security officials and Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson.

“We, as a cricket team, are no different to any other Australian. I am sure everyday Australians that you would bump into in the street would have some concerns as well, but the good thing is we are a lot more informed now than we were before the day started,” Ponting was quoted as saying by ‘The Australian’. Ponting said his team will take another few days to decide whether to tour Pakistan or not.

Earlier, the ICC had failed to convince New Zealand players as well.

“It was a disgrace. It showed a complete lack of understanding and respect for the concerns we have,” a New Zealand player, who declined to be named, said after a meeting with the ICC Task Force that apparently was not attended by some of its key members. — PTI

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