SA to review tour after blast
2007-10-19 07:18
Lahore - South Africa will take advice from independent security consultants to decide whether to continue their tour of Pakistan after a suspected suicide bomber killed at least 123 people on Friday.
The attack targeting former Pakistani prime minister
Benazir Bhutto happened as she was driven through Karachi on
her return from eight years in exile.
"Obviously, the security of the players is of paramount
concern to us and we are shocked by the devastating incident in
Karachi," team spokesman Owen Smith said.
"We will be getting feedback from our independent security
consultants on the situation."
South Africa played Pakistan in the first one-day
international on Thursday in Lahore and the second is scheduled
for Saturday at the same venue.
The remaining matches are in Faisalabad on October 23, Multan
October 26 and Karachi on October 29.
Security has been tight on the tour with dozens of
uniformed and plain-clothed policemen and commandoes looking
after the South Africa team.
They played a three-day game and the first Test in Karachi
without any incident.
Smith said the team management would meet with senior
officials of Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Pakistan
Cricket Board (PCB) to discuss the situation.
The South Africa players had a voluntarily practice session
on Friday but Smith doubted whether many would go to the
stadium for nets.