Players' group criticises ICC over endorsement of Bangladesh's proposed Pak tour

Islamabad, Mar 10 (ANI): The Federation of International Cricket Associations (FICA) has criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its stance on Bangladesh's proposed tour of Pakistan.

The ICC is prepared to suspend its rules and allow non-neutral umpires to oversee the matches so as not to compromise the safety of ICC match officials, but it said it was up to participating teams to decide whether a tour would go ahead.

"The ICC should be doing its utmost to convince the two boards to postpone the series, not contemplating whether to amend its own rules to give the series official endorsement," the Daily Times quoted FICA chief executive Tim May, as saying in a statement.

FICA represents several national players' associations, including Bangladesh.

Pakistan has not hosted international cricket since gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team in Lahore in March 2009, killing six police officials and a van driver carrying match officials to the Gaddafi Stadium, on the third day of the Test match.

Bangladesh will likely finalise Lahore as the venue for next month's proposed series of either three one-day internationals or two ODIs and a Twenty20 international. (ANI)