MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia will monitor the security situation in Pakistan after the assassination of opposition politician Benazir Bhutto before they decide whether to proceed with their tour there next March.
A two-time prime minister of Pakistan, Bhutto was shot on Thursday while campaigning in Rawalpindi, before her assassin then triggered a suicide bomb, killing a further 16 people.
"Naturally we are very sad to hear about this news overnight from Pakistan," Cricket Australia spokesman Philip Pope told.
"We will continue to monitor the situation but it is still too early to make any decisions and will continue to take advice from relevant agencies in Australia and Pakistan."
An inspection team involving representatives from the Australian Cricketers Association, Cricket Australia's operations department and security personnel would make a pre-tour visit to the country.
The team had already been to Pakistan on a preliminary visit.
Pope said the team would probably visit the country after the Jan 8. elections.
He said the players, who are currently playing India in the first match of their four-test series in Melbourne, had not spoken about the Pakistan tour.
"They are concentrating on this match but it goes without saying the safety of our players is of paramount importance," Pope added.
