All-rounder Andrew Symonds is not the only Australian cricketer apprehensive about touring Pakistan, teammate Phil Jacques also feels the same.
MELBOURNE: All-rounder Andrew Symonds is not the only Australian cricketer apprehensive about touring Pakistan, teammate Phil Jacques also feels that there are a 'few issues' which need to be examined closely before the world champions play in the troubled nation.
Jaques, who as an Australia A player toured Pakistan twice in the past, said the current political turmoil in the country is a concern.
"I've been there twice in the last couple of years and there's obviously a few issues over there at the moment which Cricket Australia will have a look at closer to the time," Jacques was quoted as saying in 'The Australian'.
"People have always been good but they're in a different stage in their make-up at the moment with elections on," he added.
Recalling his experience of playing in Pakistan, Jacques said, "I was a little bit uneasy before I went but when we were there everything went to plan, everything went smoothly."
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hinted that Karachi could be a venue in the March-April series, which comprises three Tests, five one-dayers and a twenty20 match.
"We haven't finalised an itinerary yet. That will be done within the next month. Karachi is on the tentative itinerary that we have drawn up," PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf said.
Ashraf said the PCB's decision to insure the series was in no way an indication that it would accept a pullout by Australia.
"Our first aim is to cover financial losses. This is the first time we have insured a single series," he said.
"This should not be seen as a message to Australia that they can pull out just because we are financially covered. Anything can happen anywhere," he added.
The PCB chief once again called on the world champions to fulfill their commitment of touring Pakistan.
"Australia is the world No1, so they have a responsibility and we hope they fulfil this responsibility and tour Pakistan," he said.
"The president elect of the ICC David Morgan of England has also urged the Australians to tour Pakistan, so we keep our fingers crossed," he added.
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