ICC has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board that 2008 Champions Trophy would be held in Pakistan as scheduled from September 10, PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf said.
KARACHI: The International Cricket Council has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board that 2008 Champions Trophy would be held in Pakistan as scheduled from September 10, PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf said on Saturday.
Ashraf, who returned after a meeting with ICC officials including acting Chief Executive Dave Richardson in Dubai, said the tournament would be held under the cover of a security plan which would be finalised by the hosts and the ICC.
"We also had some reservations over some issues which have now been cleared. We have been assured the tournament would not be moved from Pakistan," he said.
Pakistan is due to host the star studded event for the first time but as per the ICC regulations, an ICC security delegation will pay a visit to the host country in June to give the final clearance over security conditions and arrangements for the event.
If the ICC delegation gives a negative report on the security situation in Pakistan the tournament can be shifted to standby country, Sri Lanka.
But after June once it is decided Pakistan would host the tournament even if conditions get bad, the tournament can only be cancelled or postponed but not shifted due to logistical issues.
Ashraf said the ICC security delegation was due to visit from late May and would be given a detailed briefing on the arrangements and security plans for the Champions Trophy.
"There is a clear understanding that the security cover for the event would be finalised by the Pakistan Board and government with the consent of the ICC. Both parties will finalise the security arrangements," Ashraf added.
The timing of the tournament will overlap the holy month of fasting (Ramazan) in Pakistan and sources said the PCB had sought some assurances from the ICC because of the sanctity of the month.
"The likelihood is most matches will be played under lights in Karachi and Lahore to attract more people to the stadium plus because of Ramazan there will be a cap on the type of entertainment associated with such a big event," one source stated.
The source said Pakistan had also sought clarification and assurance that the ICC will not entertain or postpone the event once it was set for Pakistan if one or two teams raise any security concerns.
Ashraf said Pakistan was confident of making a big success of the event because of its prior experience of hosting World Cup.
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