The decision was taken following foreign office advice about travelling to the region. The tournament starts in Lahore on October 31.

A foreign office spokesman confirmed that a general note to travellers had been issued on September 14 after US missile strikes in August against a suspected guerrilla base in neighbouring Afghanistan.

The note recommended that travellers postpone non-essential visits to Pakistan. The spokesman said there had been no specific advice to the hockey team. Hockey officials were unavailable for comment.

Australia confirms entry

SYDNEY: The Australian men's field hockey team confirmed today it will play in the Champions Trophy tournament in Pakistan later this month despite the pull-out of the England team over safety concerns.

Australian Hockey Association Executive Director Linden Adamson said today the nationalteam wanted to go and would do so as foreign affairs officials and the Australian embassy in Islamabad believed there was no special danger involved.

World number seven-ranked Korea is expected to replace England in the Champions Trophy, which is normally contested by the World's six top-ranked nations.