Malek fears Pakistan isolation

Karachi: Pakistan captain Shoaib Malek fears the country will slip into cricket isolation if security concerns continue to prevent other teams from touring.

Pakistan cricket suffered two major setbacks this year with Australia postponing a test tour in March and the eight-nation Champions Trophy being postponed by the ICC last month because of security concerns.

"It is very frustrating for the players the way two important events have been postponed this year. It is so depressing that despite being a major cricket playing nation we do not play a test match this year," Malek told reporters.

Pakistan played its last test against India in December and their next test series is not until January when India tour.

Malek said for cricket to thrive in Pakistan it was important for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ensure teams toured the country.

"The ICC needs to step in and play a more decisive role. If teams keep on refusing to tour Pakistan despite assurances even from our government we will become an isolated cricket nation," he added. A PCB official confirmed yesterday that moves to arrange a one-day series in Sri Lanka had not worked out.