The Indian cricket team's tour of Pakistan next year is unlikely to materialise.

A top source in the government said there no risk is worth taking if there is even the possibility of "a scratch to Sachin Tendulkar [Images]".

According to the source, there is also the possibility of a suicide bomber, and, as such, the tour can even be "called off at the last minute".

The Indian team is scheduled to tour Pakistan between January 13 and February 19, during which it will play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 [Images] international.

The Indian government, on request from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, has already taken up the issue with Pakistan and clearance will depend on professional evaluation of security concerns following a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistan in the last few months.

Australia [Images] Test tour of Pakistan was cancelled earlier this year and the International Cricket Council [Images] was forced to postpone the Champions Trophy [Images], scheduled to be held in the country in September, saying it would monitor India's tour before confirming Pakistan as the venue.