Melbourne, March 11:

Cricket Australia postponed its cricket tour to Pakistan just hours after two bombs killed at least 15 people and injured many more in the eastern city of Lahore.

The tour, which had been scheduled to start on March 29, had been in jeopardy due to security concerns expressed by Australian players and officials amid a wave of violence that swirled around the February 18 elections in Pakistan.

“We are very sorry that the tour could not take place at this time,” Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O’Connor said, ending weeks of speculation. The PCB has invited Bangladesh to play a home limited-overs series next month to fill the gap. Australia could face a fine of up to $2 million under existing ICC protocols if the governing body finds its decision not to tour is unjustified.