Australia disappoints Pakistan

Pakistan cricket officials feel let down by Australia and South Africa after their security fears led to the postponement of next month's Champions Trophy until 2009.

The International Cricket Council put off the eight-nation biennial tournament in the troubled South Asian country until October next year just two days after South Africa refused to send its team while Australia, New Zealand and England were also considering withdrawing over security worries.

Pakistan, which was to host the Trophy from September 12-28, kept the hosting rights.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said his country felt let down by non-Asian teams.

''We are definitely disappointed by Australia because they have not toured us for 10 years,'' Naghmi said.

He was also surprised by South Africa's sudden boycott and once major countries pulled out there was no point in holding the event.

Naghmi hoped Australia, which postponed a tour to Pakistan in March-April this year, fulfilled its commitment to tour next year.

''Australia have a commitment of playing five one-day internationals in April next year so we hope by then their fears are removed and they play in our country,'' Naghmi said of Australia.

In Melbourne, Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young said the organisation was hopeful future tours to Pakistan would go ahead as planned.

''What we're all hoping now is the situation in Pakistan allows us to go there next year,'' Young said.

''We're passionately keen to be able to do that.

''The former president [Pervez Musharraf] is now resigned ... we're all hoping the civil situation returns to order.

''We haven't had a senior Australian team in Pakistan for a long time.''

He added it was crucial for world cricket that Pakistan cricket remained strong.

Australian stand-in skipper Michael Clarke yesterday supported the international council's decision.

''I think all the guys are happy now we know that the ICC, Cricket Australia and ACA would make a decision and they've finally done that,'' he said.

''It's a tournament [title] Australian currently holds, and next year, whenever they put it on we'll look forward to retaining that trophy.