India calls off tour in Pakistan

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

The decision, announced in parliament by sports minister M.S. Gill, confirmed widely held expectations that the visit would be cancelled after the attacks, which killed 164 people.

India had been due to play three tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international between Jan. 8-Feb. 19.

"Government of India has advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that the Indian team's cricket tour of Pakistan is not feasible in the prevailing circumstances," BCCI's chief administrator, Ratnakar Shetty said in a statement.

It will be the third major tour cancellation of Pakistan this year on security grounds. Australia pulled out of its scheduled visit, while the International Cricket Council also postponed the Champions Trophy one-day tournament.

Pakistan called the decision by India's cricket board to cancel the national team's tour "disappointing" and said it would result in a loss of at least $ 25 million.

But Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt told AFP that he hoped Sri Lanka would agree to a replacement series, and insisted the move would have no effect on the 2011 World Cup, to be held in four South Asian nations.

"We take this decision as disappointing -- something which will hurt Pakistan cricket badly -- but it was beyond our control," Butt said.