Stuart Clark hopes a looming Australian boycott of next month's Champions Trophy won't isolate Pakistan as a cricket destination.
A delegation of world cricket officials will today attempt to persuade Australia that it is safe to tour Pakistan next month and take part in the Champions Trophy.
International Cricket Council general manager David Richardson and his party are aiming to boost participation at the biennial tournament, from September 12 to 28 in Pakistan.
Australia is in doubt given its security concerns, while players from New Zealand, England and South Africa have also voiced concerns about playing in Pakistan.
A negative response to the ICC party could mean the end of tours to Pakistan for a long time.
''I hope not,'' Clark said.
''It's very important that that part of the world keeps playing cricket. Obviously those countries are struggling but if it doesn't happen I hope they do whatever they need to rectify the situation.''
Richardson and the ICC's security expert will outline the situation in Lahore and Karachi to Cricket Australia officials, Australian captain Ricky Ponting, deputy captain Michael Clarke and players union boss Paul Marsh.
They will present the findings of a taskforce established recently to review security arrangements in the cities in a bid to encourage the defending champion to compete.
Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson, who spends a lot of time in Lahore, has been drafted in by the ICC and will attend the meeting in Melbourne, along with Federation of International Cricketers' Associations boss Tim May.
The Australian Cricketers' Association last month recommended to its members that Pakistan was too unsafe to tour, given the wave of suicide bombings in the country and its proximity to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Clark toured Pakistan with Australia A in late 2005 and said there were no problems with security but would not be drawn on what he would do if CA gave the green light.
''I really can't say until I hear from ACA and Cricket Australia,'' he said.
Clark's wife is due to give birth on Christmas Day and that must also be playing on his mind.
The ICC delegation spent yesterday in New Zealand, meeting with Black Caps players and officials.
Another delegation, headed by ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, is in England meeting with players from England and South Africa.
Australia has not toured Pakistan since 1998 because of security concerns and earlier this year a scheduled tour to the troubled nation was postponed.
Wednesday night the Australian government announced its consulates in Karachi and Lahore the two cities down to host the Trophy were closed until further notice for security reasons.
CA expressed a willingness to participate in the eight-team championship two weeks ago if it was moved to Sri Lanka. AAP
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