CA delays signing MoU with PCB for ODI series

Karachi:

Cricket Australia has delayed signing the Memorandum of Understanding for the one-day series in UAE with Pakistan until it is satisfied with the security plan of the Emirates Board.

Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board have confirmed that the reason for the Australians not signing the MOU as yet for the series of five One-Day Internationals and a Twenty20 match is the security arrangements in host cities Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

"Since the matches are being hosted in the UAE, we are coordinating with the Emirates Cricket Board, which is meeting local authorities to secure a proper security plan for the two teams," one source said.

He said the PCB was expecting the Emirates Board to send a security plan in the next two or three days which would also be forwarded to Cricket Australia for approval.

Sources said the Australian Cricketers Association representative Paul Marsh and team manager Steve Bernard were in the CA delegation that was in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to meet with PCB and Emirate Board officials on preparations for the series.

Pakistan shifted the series starting from April 22 to the neutral venue after Australia refused to tour Pakistan because of security concerns and fears for their players.