Former Pakistan chief fears for India tour

Pakistan's former cricket chief said India must tour the country early next year as planned or it could see Pakistani cricket "pushed to hell".

India are scheduled to play three tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match from January 13 to February 19, but the tour has been thrown into doubt amid fears over security in Pakistan.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said it would consider switching the matches to neutral venues.

"If Pakistan fails to convince India to tour then Pakistan cricket will be hit worse because other teams will not come. I see our cricket almost pushed to hell," said former PCB chief executive Arif Abbasi.

The Indian government has refused to let the national junior hockey team visit Pakistan this month and there are fears in Pakistan the same could apply to the January-February cricket tour.

Several international teams have refused to tour Pakistan over security fears.

Australia put off a tour earlier this year, saying they feared for their players' safety in the wake of suicide bombings by Islamist militants.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had to put off September's elite Champions Trophy in Pakistan for 12 months after South Africa pulled out of the event while Australia, New Zealand and England raised security concerns.