ICC may postpone Champions Trophy

MELBOURNE: The Indian cricket board will reportedly request the International Cricket Council (ICC) to postpone the Champions Trophy one-day tournament and not relocate it, if some member countries still have their reservations about the security situation in Pakistan.

According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, the influential Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has apparently insisted that the ICC should reschedule the matches in Pakistan rather than shifting them abroad if the situation is considered unsafe for the September tournament.

Leading players from Australia, New Zealand and England have threatened to boycott the tournament citing security concerns.

Cricket Australia's (CA) security consultant, Reg Dickason, toured the country to inspect systems and facilities during the ongoing Asia Cup. The ICC also sent a four-man security delegation to Pakistan last week.

Sri Lanka was named the alternative host for the tournament but the island nation's security issues have led to South Africa being installed as the preferred back-up venue.

The Australian Cricketers' Association said it would reserve comment on the issue until after it had met CA officials.

CA will review the findings of Dickason's report before deciding whether to attend the Champions Trophy. But if the green light is given, several leading players will consider boycotting the tournament. New Zealand's players' association last week predicted several of its players would opt out rather than tour Pakistan.