Even if Pakistan is given the go-ahead to host the Champions Trophy at an extraordinary meeting of the International Cricket Council (ICC) today, it is extremely unlikely a full-strength New Zealand side will tour.
The ICC is hosting the meeting in Dubai this weekend, inviting representatives of FICA,
the federation of players' associations, and member boards. New Zealand manager Lindsay Crocker and players' association boss Heath Mills are at the meeting where the ICC will divulge the results of its security reports.
Boards such as Australia and New Zealand commissioned their own.
Before leaving for Dubai, Mills said that even if the ICC gave Pakistan a clean bill of health security-wise it didn't mean there wouldn't be a number of high-profile withdrawals. Mills re-iterated that several players have expressed concern to him and the only reason nobody has come out and said "no" to the tour "is because nobody has yet asked them that question directly".
New Zealand Cricket has agreed in principle to play three one-day internationals in Pakistan before the Champions Trophy in September.
There are fresh security fears in the subcontinent country following a suicide blast in Islamabad earlier this month that killed 19 people. The largest city, Karachi, has also been hit by a series of bombings.
In a statement before the meeting, the ICC said: "The ICC will not indulge in speculation and, at this stage, the tournament will proceed in Pakistan, as scheduled."
The tournament is due to be held in Karachi, Rawalpindi - which adjoins Islamabad - and Lahore from September 11-28.
Pakistan hosted the six-nation Asia Cup without incident in June and July and officials remain bullish about their ability to host a tournament that will likely shift to either Sri Lanka, South Africa or England if security reports are damning.
"We have assured fool-proof security measures for the Champions Trophy," Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said.
"There is no reason for us to believe that the tournament will be relocated from Pakistan."
