India may miss Pakistan tour

India’s tour of Pakistan next year is in doubt following reports that the government could block the team from travelling.

Following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, several Indian television stations have claimed that the tour will be scrapped.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has so far refused to comment on the stories, saying a request for security clearance was pending.

India are scheduled to play three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 match during the five-week trip from January 13 to February 19.

Doubt

The tour was first put in doubt earlier this month when the Indian government refused to allow the India junior hockey team to play in Pakistan.

Australia cancelled a tour of Pakistan in March, while the ICC postponed their Champions Trophy tournament in September because of security concerns.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ijaz Butt had said on Friday that the tour would depend on the respective governments.

“The security situation is out of our control and after what has happened in Mumbai, the decision on the Indian team’s tour of Pakistan is now in two governments’ hands,” Butt said.

“Relocating the home series to neutral venues was a huge financial loss in the past so it’s detestable but in an effort to give our players some cricket we will have to do that, but as a last resort.”