"Our sense is that there will be complete normalcy in the country by the time the Australians arrive," Ashraf told 'Sydney Morning Herald'. "I can tell you categorically that neutral venues are not an option for Pakistan," he said.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Nasim Ashraf has shot down Ricky Ponting's proposal to play in a neutral venue and claimed normalcy would return well before the Australian cricketers set their foot in the trouble-torn country.
Following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and the subsequent unrest, the Australian cricketers have already started expressing reservation about touring the country in March.
Sensing the pulse of his teammates, Ponting has proposed hosting it in a neutral venue but Ashraf said he would risk cancellation of the trip and incurring the loss in revenue rather than agreeing to shift the venue.
"Our sense is that there will be complete normalcy in the country by the time the Australians arrive," Ashraf told 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
"I can tell you categorically that neutral venues are not an option for Pakistan," he said.
With the PCB being adamant, Cricket Australia (CA) might find itself in a tricky situation and it might face fines to the tune of USD two million in case the players refuse to travel.
But in case any ICC security expert deems the situation not safe enough for the tour, PCB would be the loser and cancelling the series would cost it millions of television revenue.
