Nottingham, June 6 : Ahead of their three-mach tour to Pakistan in late August, some of the senior New Zealand cricketers are said to be apprehensive about playing in the strife-torn country.

New Zealand's all-rounder Jacob Oram said that his team's upcoming tour of Pakistan was looming as a "massive issue" as the players weigh up whether to go or stay.

He said the issue was raised at a recent team meeting, where the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) told the players that they would be given an opportunity to miss the tour without any impact on their contractual status, or implications for future selection.

It raises the prospect of a young, inexperienced side touring, if the senior players follow through with their concerns, reported the Dawn.

While Oram was tight-lipped about news report that some senior players were uncomfortable with the tour, which precedes the ICC Champions Trophy there, he said that he would be able to take a decision after discussing it with his wife and family.

"It's a massive issue for players and everyone concerned. It's still a while away, nothing in my head's been made up either way. I'll really have to sit down with my wife and family and make decisions. At this stage I haven't really given it a lot of thought so I've got no definitive answer," he said.

Vice-captain Brendon McCullum said it was too early to comment.

Pending an independent security report, the NZC agreed in principle to playing one-dayers in Multan (Aug 24) and Faisalabad (Aug 27 and 30) before the Champions Trophy.

ANI