Pakistan cricket coach Geoff Lawson on Thursday said security assessments after next month's elections will determine whether Australia will go ahead with their planned tour here. Lawson was speaking after learning of a suicide bomb blast that killed at least 22 police officers outside Lahore high court, but the former Australian paceman remained unperturbed.
"I don't know much about the blast because I am here in Karachi. I do feel safe in Pakistan and have expressed that to some of the Australian players and informally to Cricket Australia (CA), but they make their own decisions," Lawson told reporters.
The latest killings raised further doubts over Australia's tour. Several players have raised fears over security in Pakistan but CA have adopted a wait-and-see policy.
CA is due to send a security delegation to Pakistan after elections on February 18 before making a decision on the tour, scheduled for March and April. "Australians want to see what state the nation is in after the elections.... They do their own thorough investigation and they make careful judgements because they know the importance of the series and their relationship. "I sincerely hope that it takes place and it is a good series but it's still a long way off."
When asked whether he would like the series played at neutral venues in the event of an Australian pull-out, Lawson said: "It is up to the administrators of the game to decide but I would like the series to happen."
Lawson, who played 49 Tests for Australia, said India's improved show in last week's Sydney Test proved the Australians are beatable. His team's next assignment is a five-match one-day series against Zimbabwe at home, a series he wants to sweep. "With due respect to them, I think if we play to our potential we must beat them 5-0 and then get ready for Australia," he said.