Security fears isolate Pak cricket team

Pakistan will stage all their international cricket fixtures abroad in the immediate future because of security concerns at home. They will not host any of the 2011 50 overs World Cup games scheduled for the Indian sub-continent.

Following is a timeline of key incidents relating to the situation.

May 8, 2002 - A car bomb explodes in Karachi near the hotel where the New Zealand cricket team are staying killing 13 people, including 11 French navy experts. New Zealand call off the tour within hours of the attack.

March 11, 2008 - Australia postpone a tour to Pakistan hours after 15 people are killed by bombs.

August 24, 2008 - The Champions Trophy in Pakistan is postponed for 13 months after five of the eight nations due to take part confirm they will not send a team because of security fears. The 50 overs event, second in importance only to the World Cup, is subsequently moved to South Africa.

November 26, 2008 - India freeze all cricket ties with Pakistan after an assault in Mumbai by Pakistan-based militant kills about 170 people.

March 3, 2009 - Gunmen attack a bus carrying Sri Lanka's cricket team outside a Lahore stadium in Pakistan, killing seven people, including six policemen and a driver. Six of the team and a British coach are wounded.

April 28, 2009 - The ICC board decides to shift 2011 World Cup matches out of Pakistan after security concerns following the Lahore attack.

June 21, 2009 - Pakistan celebrate victory in the Twenty20 World Cup final over Sri Lanka at Lord's in London, their first major trophy since Imran Khan's side won the 1992 50 overs World Cup.

April 15, 2010 - International Cricket Council chief executive Haroon Lorgat says India will have to fulfill their obligation to play a bilateral series against Pakistan before the ICC's future tours programme ends in 2012. Pakistan were to host India early in 2009 but the series was cancelled.