The South African players' union voiced "serious concern" on Friday over the safety situation in Pakistan after world cricket chiefs decided not to change the venue of September's Champions Trophy.
Reacting to Thursday's decision by the International Cricket Council to keep the tournament in Pakistan, SA Cricketers Association's chief executive Tony Irish said his organisation wanted to work with Cricket South Africa before taking a final stance on whether the Proteas should participate or not.
"It is premature to suggest that we have pulled out," Irish said. "We have serious concerns and we want to work with Cricket South Africa about whether the team will go or not." When South Africa last toured Pakistan in October 2007, the team refused to play in Karachi following advice from a security expert who was accompanying them.
"All security reports suggest the situation in Pakistan is very fluid and the situation is escalating all the time. What happened a year ago is not the same as what's happening there now," Irish added. The Champions Trophy, which is the second most important one-day competition on the cricket calendar, is due to take place in Pakistan from September 11 to 28.