June 11  
'Aussies may host Pakistan if security fears persist'

MELBOURNE: Australia might host a three-game Test series against Pakistan in a reverse fixture later this year if Steve Waugh's side pulls out of its tour to Pakistan over security fears.

Although several neutral venues, including Sharjah and Morocco, have been put forward, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said Australia would be given first choice if the series was switched from Pakistan.

In an interview to Australian television, Speed said: "Our current rules say the first option is to go to the visiting country and see if it can be played there. If the tournament can be run at a profit we would like it to go ahead."

The two boards will discuss the issue over the next two weeks when Australia play host to Pakistan in a three-game limited-over series starting on Wednesday (tomorrow).

The tour to Pakistan is almost certain to be scrapped following the suicide bombing in Karachi in early May which led to New Zealand terminating their tour. The bombing took place outside the hotel being used by both teams.

Several Australian players have since said they did not want to travel to Pakistan.