Paul Marsh, the Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive, has recommended that his members should not go to the tournament, which begins on Sept 12.

"We feel for the Pakistan Cricket Board and the people of Pakistan but it is the job of the ACA to make recommendations to our members based on whether it is safe to tour," Marsh said. "Unfortunately in this case we don’t believe it is safe."

The feeling is that a suicide bomber could penetrate even the tightest ring of steel.

Australia’s lead is likely to be followed over the next few days by at least two other countries. England captain Kevin Pietersen admitted on Monday that there were still "huge reservations", and yesterday Owais Shah revealed further doubts. "We have all got concerns. I do know what Karachi can be like having grown up there."

The New Zealanders have already expressed their own fears over travelling to Pakistan, where their captain Daniel Vettori was among the players to be involved in a bombing incident in 2002.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told a press conference in London yesterday that the ICC were satisfied with security arrangements in Pakistan but he also admitted: "It is possible that you could postpone, it is possible that you could relocate, it is possible that you could add in a ninth and 10th team."

Presumably, Bangladesh and Ireland would replace any withdrawals. The broadcasters for the tournament, ESPN, are believed to favour a late shift to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, England’s Twenty20 international, scheduled for today, against South Africa was called off yesterday due to heavy rain in Chester-le-Street.

England hopeful Simon Jones has been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee cartilage damage.

Just when the miserable season of Surrey could not seem to get any worse, coach Alan Butcher has become embroiled in a war of words with the club’s chairman of cricket, Roger Harman.

Surrey’s poor form prompted Harman to send an apologetic letter to club members, describing the team’s performances as "unacceptable".

An incensed Butcher has hit back."I would say it undermines me, especially when there is a members’ forum this week," he said.

"It gives people ammunition to have a pop at me. Rather than show me some support, this letter hangs me out to dry and I am very disappointed by it."