Australian players body wary of Pakistan security threat

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - The Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) remain unconvinced there is a safe and secure environment to hold this year's Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan.

Paul Marsh, chief executive of the ACA, said on Wednesday security consultants hired by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket Australia had identified threats in Pakistan.

"There is a credible threat in all the major cities in Pakistan, including those which are hosting the event, and they expect bombing in the coming week. So it's what we are concerned about," Marsh told the Geo News channel in a telephone interview.

On Thursday, the ICC will decide whether or not to move the Champions Trophy, scheduled for September, out of Pakistan over safety issues.

England, Australia and New Zealand have voiced concerns after some of their players raised the issue of travelling to Pakistan.

Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi are scheduled to stage Champions Trophy games.

Marsh said the report submitted by their consultant Reg Dickason indicated that security during a majority of the recent Asia Cup held in Karachi was not up to standard, apart from the final, when President Pervez Musharaf was the chief guest.

"The arrangements for the final were accepted as a good job," Marsh added.

"But there were number of key issues identified and our job is to make sure that what we put to our players is a safe environment and we are not convinced of what we have seen which is available here."