It has been a bad year for Pakistan cricket. On the field their performances have been solid - with the exception of the annihilation by Sri Lanka in the final of the Asian Test Championship - but off the field disaster has followed disaster.

The seemingly inevitable cancellation of their series against India contributed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) racking up losses of almost $20 million, and any hopes of them clearing this debt were effectively ended with the September 11 terrorist attacks in the USA and the subsequent military action in Afghanistan.

Firstly New Zealand cancelled their October tour, and then the West Indies series had to be played in neutral Sharjah. When the New Zealand series was eventually rescheduled for March/April it was abruptly ended by a terrorist bomb-blast right outside the tourists' hotel on the morning of the first day of the Karachi Test.

As a result, future tours of Pakistan are now in serious jeopardy. The Australians, with their well-documented reluctance to visit any country where there is a security risk, have already sent up enough signals of intent to make their August trip extremely unlikely (unless the Australian Cricket Board want to risk sending a much-weakened squad). The New Zealanders, due back at the same time, have also yet to commit, although their first-hand experiences make their reluctance more understandable.

Whereas after September 11 the PCB made every attempt to reassure other countries that there was no risk associated with touring, this time they appear to have adopted a more belligerent strategy.

Lt-Gen Tauqir Zia, the PCB chief, dismissed suggestions that other countries might have a point in not wanting to visit Pakistan. "No country is safe from terrorism but that does not mean cricket should suffer," he said. "The law and order situation in India is bad and there has been violence in Sri Lanka, however cricket has never been hampered."

Asked whether he was preparing to sweet-talk his Australian counterparts, Zia bristled with indignation. "I don't think we need to request anybody to play us, if any country does not fulfil its commitment we have to take up the matter with the International Cricket Council."

And Zia said that he would be seeking compensation for any cancelled tours. "We will approach the ICC and seek compensation and will also not sign the 10-year programme."

The possible compromise of playing Australia in a neutral country was also smashed for six by Zia who, with some justification, pointed out that ceding home advantage against Australia was not in Pakistan's interests. "With the World Cup coming up, my priority is cricket and I have spoken to ICC chairman Malcolm Gray who is of the view that tours should continue."

Well, would Zia at least consider switching matches away from Karachi, the most likely city for any attacks? "I wouldn't say Karachi would be omitted because of the recent bomb blast, as it is a big centre."

Zia's attitude is understandable. The softly-softly approach did not work and the PCB ended up with massive debts as a result. Now they will try a more bullying attitude. They have little to lose.

And Zimbabwe will be watching closely. After Robert Mugabe's discredited election victory and the ensuing disorder in the country, Australia scrapped their proposed April tour. If Pakistan either cajole other countries into touring or get compensated for cancellations, then Zimbabwe will look to do the same.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd