Former Pakistan captains seek ICC rule change

KARACHI (Reuters) - Former Pakistan captains Ramiz Raja and Intikhab Alam have urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to review its rules to make sure countries do not pick and choose tours.

Their demand follows Australia's decision on government advice to go ahead with their tour of India despite last week's bomb blasts in New Delhi that killed over 20 people.

Pakistan have accused the Australians of double standards after they postponed a tour of Pakistan earlier this year for security reasons and were among five nations who refused to send teams for this month's ICC Champions Trophy, forcing its postponement until October next year.

"For Pakistani cricket administrators, players and fans the situation is very frustrating and it is wrong and I think the fault lies with the ICC," Raja said on Thursday.

ICC rules stipulate hefty fines for teams refusing to tour under its Future Tours Programme (FTP) unless the decision is due to issues beyond the visiting side's control.

"What is wrong is that the ICC have got rules made up for certain blocs to quit cricket in certain areas at their own will and this pick and choose policy must stop," Raja said.

"The ICC needs to review existing conditions and change the rules at their level."

Intikhab said if Australia could tour India then it was only right Pakistan should also be designated a safe cricket nation.

"I think it is time the ICC played a stronger role and made sure that countries like Australia didn't pick and choose their tours," he told Reuters.