Cricket-Imran criticises India's decision to cancel tour

KARACHI Dec 18 (Reuters) - Former captain Imran Khan has criticised India's decision to cancel next month's tour to neighbouring Pakistan.

"This will not help build up trust (between the two countries) and it is a wrong decision by the Indians," said the Pakistan great on a talk show on Geo News on Thursday.

Imran, who now heads his own political party Tehreek-e-Insaaf (Movement for Justice), said India should have applied the same criteria as they did when they asked England to return to their country after last month's militant attacks in Mumbai.

"When some English cricketers had security concerns going back to India they were told if they didn't return it would be a victory for the terrorists behind the Mumbai attacks," he said.

"While deciding on the Pakistan tour they should have thought in similar fashion. The cancellation of the series is not good for cricket in the region."

Imran added that all countries reluctant to send teams to Pakistan should remember no sportsmen had ever been targeted in his country.

India cancelled next month's tour after the government refused permission following the attacks in Mumbai which killed at least 179 people.

The Indians had been due to play three tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 game.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)