Cricket Australia have no plans to cancel the tour of Pakistan in March despite the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, but will monitor the security situation there before it goes ahead.
Former Prime Minister Bhutto was shot on Thursday while campaigning in Rawalpindi, before her assassin triggered a suicide bomb killing at least 16 others.
"I don't think from our perspective much has changed," CA Chief Executive James Sutherland told reporters.
"During February we'll have a look at the circumstances that are relevant to the tour."
An inspection team involving representatives from the Australian Cricketers Association, Cricket Australia's operations department and security personnel would make a pre-tour visit to the country in February, Sutherland added.
The team had already been to Pakistan on a preliminary visit.
Sutherland said there was no question at this stage of the matches being moved to a neutral venue.
"Right now playing in a neutral venue is not something that's under consideration. There's a commitment to tour Pakistan and we'll be pursuing every avenue we can for that tour to go ahead," he added.
"Whether we play in a neutral venue is not up to Cricket Australia, it's a matter for the Pakistan Cricket Board."
INVESTIGATION
International Cricket Council Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said the sport's governing body would also monitor the situation and conduct its own investigation.
"The first step is the country that is to visit, as Australia is to visit in March, will carry out their own investigation," Speed told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
"If things are not suitable and if Pakistan do not defer or agree to play elsewhere, the ICC will carry out an independent investigation.
"We need to wait and see how things settle down .... there will be no decisions in the next week or next month."
Speed said a neutral venue would be sought before the ICC deferred the series.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram, who is in Australia acting as a television commentator, said he expected the political situation to calm down after the January 8 elections and he doubted international sides would be targeted.
"If I had to go straight away probably I'd wait until the elections and then after that everything would definitely settle down, that's for sure," he told Australian Associated Press.
"As far as sport's concerned, they all love their sport in Pakistan.
"They're not going to harm anyone as far as international sports people are concerned."
