South Africa have cancelled their tour to Pakistan because of security concerns, the United Cricket Board (UCB) confirmed today. The tour was given the go-ahead on Thursday but the UCB decided to call it off because of a bomb blast in Karachi yesterday. South Africa were due to leave tomorrow.
"The UCB regrets that South Africa is unable to tour Pakistan at this time due to yesterday's bomb blast in Karachi and the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan," UCB media officer Gerald de Kock said by telephone from Johannesburg.
De Kock said there was still hope the two teams could meet at an alternative venue.
"The UCB has offered the Pakistan Cricket Board the option of playing the series in South Africa or at a neutral venue," he said.