ICC assesses Pakistan security

Haroon Lorgat is hopeful Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan will receive security clearance

Buy this photo

The International Cricket Council will conduct an independent review of security plans in Pakistan for their proposed home series against Sri Lanka next month.

Sri Lanka have accepted an invitation to tour Pakistan after India pulled out of their series, which was due to begin in mid-January.

Sri Lanka are expected to play three Tests, three one-dayers and a Twenty20 international and will be the first team to play a Test in Pakistan since South Africa in October last year.

A host of countries have refused to tour Pakistan due to safety fears and the ICC's chief executive officer, Haroon Lorgat, said the governing body would ensure Pakistan was safe before allowing officials to travel for the Sri Lanka series.

"I'm convinced the Sri Lankan board will do everything to ascertain whether it's safe or not," Lorgat said.

"The ICC will do an independent assessment of the situation there, for the safety of the match officials. After all, we would be supplying the match officials."

Sri Lanka Cricket interim committee chairman Arjuna Ranatunga has revealed he is confident Pakistan would provide adequate security for the series.

"I hope international cricket resumes in Pakistan," Lorgat added. "The ICC would love to see Pakistan playing other teams on their home soil.

"We hope the situation there reverts to normal."