Pakistan tour still in limbo

The venue for Australia's cricket series against Pakistan later this year remains a mystery after the Pakistanis rejected another alternative suggested by the world champions.

Pakistan is still determined to host the three Tests in October despite the recent escalation in tensions with India.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has rejected Australia's proposal to swap the tour and host two Tests after also knocking back its suggestion of staging matches in neutral Colombo, Dhaka and Sharjah.

Australian Cricket Board chief executive James Sutherland and PCB director Munawar Rana have held discussions this week while in London for a meeting of ICC delegates and say they hope to reach a decision soon.

Sutherland says the decision will come down to advice the ACB receives from political and security experts who advised the Australians not to tour Zimbabwe earlier this year.

ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed insists the tour is still on but hinted that it will likely take place at a neutral venue such as Morocco or Sharjah.