RT Monitoring Desk
DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) decided today (Thursday) that Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy in September. Talking to a press conference after the meeting, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Nasim Asharaf said that the final decision in this regard would be taken by eight-member task force, adding the ICC president would appoint the task force members. ICC task force will soon visit Pakistan, Nasim maintained adding Pakistan is safe place for holding the tournament and the reservations over security apprehensions would be removed. He continued, 'I am thankful to ICC member countries especially India, West Indies, England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.'The ICC executive board held a teleconference to make a decision on Champions Trophy host country.
The Champions Trophy, the year's biggest one-day tournament, is originally scheduled to be held in Pakistan from September 11 to 28. The tournament involves top eight nations including Pakistan. However, Australia, England and New Zealand raised concerns about security situation in Pakistan as the country is fighting against militants in northwestern tribal regions and has seen a spate of suicide attacks over the past year. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) promised fool-proof security measures for the event and is confident the event will stay in Pakistan. "We are confident that the ICC will take the right decision and keep the tournament in Pakistan. It is very important for Pakistan cricket." said the PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf on Wednesday. The ICC held a meeting on Sunday at its Dubai headquarters to inform the teams of the security arrangements made by Pakistan in the June-July Asia Cup and its security plans for the Champions Trophy. Pakistan has held a peaceful Asia Cup event from June 24 to July 6 in Karachi and Lahore. Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi are designated to be Champions Trophy venues.
Sri Lanka, an alternative venue for the Trophy event, has also been plagued by frequent violence in recent months. Sources said South Africa and England are tipped as potential alternate locations for the event.—Agency