ICC moves Champions Trophy event out of Pakistan
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Reuters
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 02, 2009 00:00
NEW DELHI - Pakistan will not host the Champions Trophy this year after several teams voiced concerns about playing in the country, the International Cricket Council, or ICC, said yesterday.
The tournament was postponed from 2008 to September/October this year after five of the eight teams involved in the premier one-day event had said they would not send a team due to security concerns.
"The ICC Board accepted that, with several members expressing reservations about touring Pakistan, it would be prudent to relocate the event ... from that country," it said in a statement after its two-day board meeting in Perth.
"The Board resolved to make a decision on the location for the event before its next scheduled meeting, in April."
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat sympathized with Pakistan but cited the need for certainty in planning the event.
"It is unfortunate the ICC Champions Trophy will not take place in Pakistan due to circumstances completely beyond the control of the PCB," he added.
"However, the Board has accepted the need for certainty in planning for and delivering a world-class event and will now assess where the event should be held."
Challenges
Pakistan cricket has been badly hit by the refusal of teams to travel there due to security concerns following several suicide bombings last year. Pakistan did not play a single test as a result in 2008. "In view of the challenges facing the Pakistan Cricket Board which are out of its control, the Board agreed that, irrespective of the location of the event, Pakistan would retain the revenue due for hosting the tournament," the ICC said.
The ICC also intends to form a task team that could visit Pakistan and find ways to work with the PCB to ensure more international cricket is played in that country in the future. Security concerns in Pakistan and strained political ties with India following militant attacks in Mumbai in November have also raised concerns over the 2011 one-day World Cup.
Meanwhile Cricket's ruling body has restored the initial result of an England win in the controversial 2006 Oval test forfeited by Pakistan. The ICC said in a statement yesterday it had made the decision after taking legal advice and receiving input from the Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket. "I'm gratified the Board reached the conclusion it did as this ensures the integrity of the game and the Laws of Cricket have been upheld," added ICC’s Haroon Lorgat.
"The ICC Board accepted that, with several members expressing reservations about touring Pakistan, it would be prudent to relocate the event ... from that country," it said in a statement after its two-day board meeting in Perth.
"The Board resolved to make a decision on the location for the event before its next scheduled meeting, in April."
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat sympathized with Pakistan but cited the need for certainty in planning the event.
"It is unfortunate the ICC Champions Trophy will not take place in Pakistan due to circumstances completely beyond the control of the PCB," he added.
"However, the Board has accepted the need for certainty in planning for and delivering a world-class event and will now assess where the event should be held."
Challenges
Pakistan cricket has been badly hit by the refusal of teams to travel there due to security concerns following several suicide bombings last year. Pakistan did not play a single test as a result in 2008. "In view of the challenges facing the Pakistan Cricket Board which are out of its control, the Board agreed that, irrespective of the location of the event, Pakistan would retain the revenue due for hosting the tournament," the ICC said.
The ICC also intends to form a task team that could visit Pakistan and find ways to work with the PCB to ensure more international cricket is played in that country in the future. Security concerns in Pakistan and strained political ties with India following militant attacks in Mumbai in November have also raised concerns over the 2011 one-day World Cup.
Meanwhile Cricket's ruling body has restored the initial result of an England win in the controversial 2006 Oval test forfeited by Pakistan. The ICC said in a statement yesterday it had made the decision after taking legal advice and receiving input from the Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodians of the Laws of Cricket. "I'm gratified the Board reached the conclusion it did as this ensures the integrity of the game and the Laws of Cricket have been upheld," added ICC’s Haroon Lorgat.