The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Islamabad

Pakistan's cricketing fraternity is divided over suggestions its national team should play test matches at neutral venues in the wake of increasing suicide bombings in the country.

Leading cricket nations have expressed security concerns over sending teams to Pakistan, which eventually forced the International Cricket Council to postpone September's Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament for a year. Hundreds of people have died in the recent spate of suicide bombings, including 53 at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad last month, prompting suggestions within and outside Pakistan that tests against major teams should be shifted to neutral venues. "Passion will not be there if we opt to play at neutral venues," former test captain Ramiz Raja told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "The conditions will be alien for both teams - especially for us as we will lose the home advantage."

Pakistan is the only top-tier cricket nation not to have played a single test this year, and it is unlikely to host one until January against India.