The England's players' association', has now voiced concerns about the Champions Trophy being held in Pakistan.

With, the ECB expected to accept the findings of a confidential safety and security report commissioned by the ICC, the players' association might get into a conflict with the Board.

Dave Richardson, the ICC's acting chief executive, who has held talks with Pakistan Cricket Board officials has assured the eight participating teams that the governing body, has promised that the security situation in Pakistan is being closely watched and at present the ICC is "comfortable" with whatever is in place.

However, Tim May, the chief executive of FICA, the heavily Australian-influenced international players' union is not saatisfied with the ICC's stance: "FICA is very concerned about the inherent risks of holding such an event in Pakistan in such a landscape of unrest and volatility and opposition to western countries."

Morris, nowing speaking on the same line told an Australian newspaper: "I personally support Tim's position. In the past week the Professional Cricketers' Association has been in contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board to as certain its response to the ICC's confidential safety and security report.

"We will await the ECB response with interest and once we have it the PCA will advise the players on our position and then take the players' views back to the ECB."

The Australians have no made secret of their apprehensions of going to Pakistan to defend the Champions'

Trophy they won in India two years back. Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden are among those most reluctant to tour but Ponting stressed: "If we get some good news from the security reports then the individual mindsets might change."

England players have however been more forthcominng. They toured Pakistan for a one-day series in 2005 despite similar security fears, refusing only to play a Test in Karachi. They travelled to Karachi for a one-day game amid heavy security arrangements.

Sri Lanka, which is standing by to host the tournament, has its own problems to solve.The island nation is dealing with severe unrest in the war zone in the north and east and from a sequence of terrorist bombs on public transport in Colombo.

However, it is regarded as a save haven as there is no record of attacks on western travellers.