ECB must take the call on Pakistan - Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen, the England batsman, has asked the ECB to take the call on sending a team to Pakistan instead of leaving the players to decide on touring the country in September for the Champions Trophy.

"The ECB are coming together on August 3 or 4, having spoken to [chief executive] David Collier this morning, and he reassured me that the decision will probably be taken out of the players' hands, which is great," Pietersen told AFP. "I really hope the players don't have to take the lead, to be totally honest. But I don't know, we'll see the outcome of that meeting, whatever the decision is."

While stating his concerns, Pietersen believes players shouldn't be forced to travel to Pakistan. "I've definitely got reservations - 100% - about going to Pakistan," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I don't think pressure should be put on any individual, especially when you realise your life could be at risk."

Meanwhile, responding to suggestions that players and even teams may pull out of the tournament, Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said, "We cannot force players to attend. All we can do is make them confident about the measures taken in regard to safety and security and on that basis hope they participate." Lorgat said this was the reason why the ICC was "putting together a task team inviting all the main stakeholders including FICA [Federation of International Cricketers' Associations], so the process is inclusive".

"We won't speculate on teams not taking part or any action if that did occur. There was no indication that would happen during the telephone hook-up of ICC directors on Thursday." The boards of Australia, England and New Zealand were believed to be against holding the tournament in the country, and player representatives from Australia and New Zealand have criticised the move to go ahead with the tournament in Pakistan. The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) echoed the sentiments of their counterparts.

"We've still got some very serious concerns, despite the fact that the Pakistan Cricket Board have made every effort they can to try to make it as safe as possible," Sean Morris, the PCA chief executive, said. "But, unfortunately, in that part of the world there are some matters that are beyond anyone's control.

"I think one thing the ECB has said - and something we are very well aligned on - is the one thing you are never going to compromise on is security," he said. "You may find a world-class event doesn't feature a large number of world-class players. That would be a real shame for cricket."

David Collier, the ECB chief executive, said they were in touch with the PCA and that a decision would be taken after consulting the players. "It's a very fluid situation in Pakistan at the moment," he said. "It's primarily the external environment we're looking at and which we have raised some concerns over. We will be monitoring that very closely.

"Clearly, other boards around the world are in the same position. The safety and security of our players is paramount and we won't compromise on that."

Cricinfo understands that Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, told the ICC that he had spoken to the players and he warned the executive that they had told him they were not prepared to go to Pakistan.