Cricketers' Association warns teams against touring Pakistan

New Delhi: As Pakistan gets ready to host Zimbabwe in its first proper home series in six years, the Federation of International Cricketers' Association warned against international teams touring the country, stating its security experts had said the "risk is unmanageable".

FICA's advise came a day before Alistair Campbell, the Zimbabwe Cricket managing director, and security experts arrived in Pakistan to assess the security situation ahead of the team's limited-overs tour of the country later this month.

"The risk assessment that we have received from FICA's security consultants is that an international tour to Pakistan remains an unacceptable risk and teams are advised against travelling there at present. Although we are sure that the Pakistan Cricket Board will do what they can regarding a security plan, our experts advise that the risk is unmanageable," Tony Irish, the FICA executive chairman, said in a statement.

He added: "We are very concerned about the safety of players and any match officials who may be sent to Pakistan, should this tour go ahead."

Zimbabwe are due to play three ODIs and two T20 internationals in Lahore from May 19 to 31.

On March 3, 2009, gunmen had ambushed the vehicles transporting the Sri Lankan players and match officials to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the third day of the Test. Several players suffered injuries, while security personnel and civilians were killed.

Since then, the PCB has not hosted international teams in the country.