Aus, Kiwi players' association call for boycott

Top players from Australia and New Zealand with their cricketers' association, maintain that the troubled country remains "too risky" to tour.

The ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan faces the prospect of a boycott by top players from Australia and New Zealand with their Cricketers' Association maintaining that the troubled country remains "too risky" to tour.

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The ICC on Thursday, decided not to shift the high-profile tournament out of Pakistan but the decision has not gone down well with the Players' associations who have called on their governing bodies not to send a team.

"If it continues in Pakistan at this volatile time, unfortunately many of the world's best players won't participate, which is not a good outcome for cricket," Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) chief Paul Marsh said in a statement.

"Based on the independent information and advice received, we maintain that the risks are simply too great for the ACA to recommend that our players tour Pakistan at this time.

"We would expect Cricket Australia to adopt the same position," he added.

The ICC, after a teleconference with the eight participating nations, decided to retain Pakistan as the venue despite opposition from the cricket boards of Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa.

Marsh said ICC's decision was disappointing and despite security reports giving an all-clear, Pakistan remained a risky place to hold the biennial event.