Citing safety concerns, Zimbabwe cancel planned tour to Pakistan: Reports

New Delhi: Zimbabwe have cancelled its upcoming tour of Pakistan on Thursday. According to reports, Zimbabwe Cricket have decided on the cancelation on the advice of the country's sports and recreation committee who deem it would 'not be safe'.

Zimbabwe were due to arrive in Pakistan on May 22 to play three one-day and two T20 matches.

Earlier on Thursday, Zimbabwe cricket authorities said that they were examining a report on the safety of playing in Pakistan, ahead of what is scheduled to be first tour by a Test-playing nation since a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.

Security concerns rose further on Wednesday when gunmen attacked a passenger bus and killed at least 43 people in the southern city of Karachi.

No major international teams have toured Pakistan since militants attacked the Sri Lankan bus in Lahore in March 2009, killing six Pakistani policemen and two civilians.

Six members of the Sri Lanka squad were also injured.

Earlier, during the advance visit, Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Alistair Campbell expressed confidence that the tour would go ahead.

Zimbabwe had also announced its 16-man squad this week.

Also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invited Bangladesh to play in the strife-torn country. PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan told reporters after returning from a tour to India that he was hopeful off more teams coming to Pakistan in future.

But after the latest pull-out from Zimbabwe, the expected home series against Bangladesh is also in jeopardy.

(With Agency inputs)