Bangladesh has postponed Pakistan's cricket tour because of security concerns following last month's mutiny at a military base in the capital, dealing a fresh blow to international sport in South Asia.
Sports Minister Ahad Ali Sarker said late Tuesday the government had put a hold on tours by foreign sports teams because all security resources were focused on a probe and manhunt after the revolt, which left over 70 dead.
The decision comes two weeks after the Sri Lankan national team were fired at by militants in Lahore, with seven players and an assistant coach injured and Pakistan knocked off the map as host of international sports events.
"We have had to suspend the tour for the time being because of security concerns," said Sarker.
"Our law enforcement agencies are at the moment hunting rebels wanted for last month's mutiny in Dhaka so it's not possible for us to give fool-proof security to the Pakistani cricket team."
The Pakistan team were originally scheduled to play two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals from March 10-22. Bangladesh had been expected to set a March 28 date.
"Obviously the Pakistan cricket tour will take place as soon as we can ensure full security to the team," the minister said.
More than 70 people died in Dhaka when rank-and-file border guards turned on their superiors, killing at least 56 senior army officers, during a 33-hour bloody revolt in Dhaka late last month.
The events threatened the future of Bangladesh's recently elected civilian government and exposed deep tension between it and the military.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman Rabeed Imam told AFP that both countries were hopeful a new itinerary could be worked out.
"The tour has been postponed again. It's not cancelled and the Bangladesh Cricket Board is trying to work out a new schedule with the Pakistani cricket authorities."
Another BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus told AFP that a November series was possible.
"We hope that after consultation with the Pakistan cricket officials we can find a time slot, maybe in November this year, for the series to come about."
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Salim Altaf said he had not received official confirmation that the tour had been postponed.
Cricketing authorities across the globe have raised concerns about the future of the sport in the region following the Lahore attacks.
Pakistan has faced mounting international concern about poor security for the Sri Lankan team with questions raised about the nuclear-armed nation's ability to combat Taliban and Al-Qaeda linked militants.
Before the Lahore attacks, Pakistan was already seen as a danger zone for international teams, who refused to tour there in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States and the ensuing "war on terror."
In November 2008, India did not clear the Pakistani team's tour to the country amid heightened tension in the wake of attacks in Mumbai, which India blamed on militants based across the border.
The International Cricket Council moved the elite eight-nation Champions Trophy from Pakistan to South Africa Monday after several teams refused to tour the troubled country over security fears.
Mohammad Ashraful
Bangladesh postpones Pakistan tour 
