MELBOURNE, Australia (AP):

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 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 told a news conference in Melbourne on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation. "This was a difficult decision based on independent review of the circumstances prevailing in Pakistan at the moment.

"We wish no loss to the Pakistan Cricket Board and look forward to undertaking this tour in the near future."

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf said his board was "obviously very disappointed at this decision.

"I guess there is not much we could do and sincerely hope that the tour of Australia to Pakistan can materialise at the earliest opportunity," he was quoted saying.

Senior Australian players had expressed concerns for several months over the tour.