Although the ICC has insisted it was committed to staging the tournament in Pakistan in September but skeptics point out that Saturday's bomb blast in Islamabad, where foreigners were targeted at an Italian restaurant, has added to the problems of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

"This incident now allows other member countries to point out that Australia were justified in postponing their tour to Pakistan," a source said.

"It is too early to predict what the security conditions would be in the next three or four months in Pakistan, especially with a new government taking over, but the future does not appear bright for Pakistan hosting international events and teams," the source added.

The PCB officials also admitted that Chairman Nasim Ashraf will have to do some lobbying to assure the other Board members that the tournament can be held in Pakistan in September without any security fears.

The ICC has kept Sri Lanka as the reserve country to stage the elite event and a final decision, ICC insiders say, has to be taken at least two to three months ahead of the competition, so that the reserve country can prepare well.