ICC has messed up by delaying decision on Champions Trophy

[Feed]

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) executive board will decide this week whether or not to shift September's Champions Trophy out of Pakistan because of security issues, the governing body said on Sunday. The decision was taken after concerns raised at an ICC security briefing in Dubai for representatives of the eight participating teams, the international players' association FICA and official broadcasters ESPN STAR Sport. More... Pakistan may lose Champions Trophy July 20, 2008 17:17 IST Last Updated: July 20, 2008 20:23 IST The International Cricket Council's (ICC [images]) executive board will decide this week whether or not to shift September's Champions Trophy out of Pakistan because of security issues, the governing body said on Sunday. The decision was taken after concerns raised at an ICC security briefing in Dubai for representatives of the eight participating teams, the international players' association FICA and official broadcasters ESPN STAR Sport. "While there was recognition the PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board] had gone to great lengths to provide a high level of security during the Asia Cup and would do so again during the ICC Champions Trophy, concerns were expressed about the potential for threats beyond the PCB's control," the ICC said in a statement. "These concerns will now be taken to the ICC Board during the course of this week with the Board then arriving at a definitive decision on the location of this year's Champions Trophy. "Until or unless the Board decides otherwise, the tournament will proceed in Pakistan." The tournament is scheduled from September 11-28. Haroon Lorgat, CEO of the ICC, said he is confident a good decision would be taken. "It is a difficult one in that you can never be kind of satisfied with compromise on safety and security issues," Lorgat told Reuters by telephone from Dubai after the briefing. "It is not something that we can treat lightly," he said. "We are confident we can work this one through. "We'll go through a very thorough process when we finally decide because we have done a thorough homework," said Lorgat. Sunday's briefing was provided by the ICC's security consultants, who had studied arrangements made for the Asia Cup which ended this month, with the PCB also outlining its security plans. England [images], Australia and New Zealand [images] have voiced concerns after bomb attacks in Pakistan over the past several months. Lorgat said no team has threatened to pull out or demanded a venue switch at the security briefing.

[cowboysfan]

I hope they change it-watching cricket matches in pakistan is a painful experience with those horrible pitches and more police than spectators.

[Sachinism]

Pakistan confirmed hosts of Champions Trophy Pakistan will host the Champions Trophy in September, the ICC has confirmed. The tournament, to be conducted in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, will be held as per the scheduled dates, from September 11 to 28. More to follow source: cricinfo

[Desi Cartman]

Im sure Aussies will boycott .

[ucilite]

good stuff..lets hope for the sake of cricket that we have a safe and exciting tournament...the PCB needs to really step up its game now and make sure that pitches are good and should also come up with affordable ticket prices so we could see a good turnover through out the tournament.....BIG thanks to ACA :)

[Ram]

Excellent! I am so glad to hear this. Finally, some common sense has prevailed!

[Gambit]

I might go and watch.:scooter:

[DomainK]

BCCI again bails PCB out of a difficulty. Hope they remember this.

[siddhu]

BCCI again bails PCB out of a difficulty. Hope they remember this.

when do they ever.... remember the "getting more technology involved in the game" proposal by BCCI. We needed one more vote and PCB bailed on us.... And guess which country b1tch about umpiring all the time...

[Sachinism]

BCCI again bails PCB out of a difficulty. Hope they remember this.

lol no chance its already forgotten

[ucilite]

lol no chance its already forgotten

DNA singled out BCCI for special thanks in his press conference so what else do u want? plus, lately, PCB has given full support to BCCI in every aspect......may i mention the whole ICL episode

[DadaRocks]

Im sure Aussies will boycott .

:finger: to the aussies....they can go to hell now....:two_thumbs_up:

[MalikBrother]

Good to see Pakistan gonna host Champion Trophy. Thank you padosi bhaiyo ! :-D In return, ham aapka khoon peejaaayengay ! ...Just kidding !:haha: On a serious note, PCB better use quality pitch right away. I have seen quality pitch before in Pakistan. Hope to see em again in Champion Trophy which is badly needed. Oyeee KaKa ! i am coming

[SachDan]

'Top Oz players might boycott CT' PTI Friday, July 25, 2008 14:21 IST MELBOURNE: Miffed with the ICC for retaining Pakistan as the venue for this year's Champions Trophy, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) on Friday hinted that the defending champions could send an under-strength team for the tournament. "If it continues in Pakistan at this volatile time, unfortunately many of the world's best players won't participate, which is not a good outcome for cricket," ACA chief Paul Marsh said in a statement. "Based on the independent information and advice received, we maintain that the risks are simply too great for the ACA to recommend that our players tour Pakistan at this time. "We would expect Cricket Australia to adopt the same position," he added. The ICC, after a teleconference with the eight participating nations yesterday, decided to retain Pakistan as the venue despite opposition from the cricket boards of Australia and England. Marsh said ICC's decision was disappointing and despite security reports giving an all-clear, Pakistan remained a risky place to hold the biennial event. "The ACA continues to have serious concerns with our players touring Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and we are disappointed with the ICC's decision," Marsh said. Marsh said the ACA was trying to get more information on the ICC task force that would coordinate with embassies and cricket boards of the participating nations to ease their security concerns. "We are seeking clarity on the purpose and role of the proposed task force, so we are unable to comment on it at this stage," he said.

[Feed]

Champions Trophy pushed back to Sept 12 The Champions Trophy in Pakistan has been pushed back by a day to September 12 amid PCB claims that 9/11 was never meant to be the starting date for the eight-nation tournament. More... Champions Trophy pushed back to Sept 12 July 30, 2008 23:10 IST The Champions Trophy in Pakistan has been pushed back by a day to September 12 amid PCB claims that 9/11 was never meant to be the starting date for the eight-nation tournament. Shafqat Naghmi, a senior official of the board said the tournament was always supposed to start on September 12 when asked about reports that the ICC [images] was wary of starting the event on the anniversary of the deadly 9/11 terror attacks on the United States. "From what I know it was always going to start on September 12," Naghmi said but his claim appeared debatable as the schedule of the Champions Trophy on the official website of the ICC still has Pakistan playing West Indies [images] on 9/11 in Lahore [images]. The ICC had first released the groupings and itinerary of the tournament on March 22 and the itinerary has remained unchanged on their website. "It was always September 12 as far as we know," Naghmi maintained and declined to explain the schedule on the ICC website. Sources said the mega-event has been delayed by a day and the secretariat of the tournament at Lahore has been informed about this. The decision was taken at the executive board meeting of the ICC in Dubai some weeks ago. The 9/11 start date for the event was also under review because of the security concerns already being raised by some teams and players associations over having the event in Pakistan.

[DadaRocks]

Simon Taufel supports Pakistan for CT Safety fears have made Ponting's team - most of whom have never toured Pakistan - hesitant to go. But Taufel, who has been there "half a dozen times", has urged them to tour. "There are no guarantees in any area of life," Taufel told The Sun-Herald from Scotland. "In all my experiences there, the Pakistan people have been friendly and hospitable. "Everything is absolutely first class. All measures are taken with security. "They make a huge effort in the security stakes. At no stage have I felt worried, in danger or threatened in Pakistan. "If I'm selected to be an umpire, I will not hesitate to go.":two_thumbs_up: http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/taufels-tour-confidence/2008/08/02/1217097605215.html

[Predator_05]

Simon Taufel, photographed while making this statement;

[MalikBrother]

It's funny that he is an Australian, but Pakistani people love him. During West Indies toured in Pakistan to play test, there was fan club of Simon Taufel and majority of Pakistani people gathered to appear that section to show they appreciate Taufel for being one of the best umpire ever and feel lucky to have him umpiring Pakistan series. If Pakistani people can hate Hair, then Pakistani people can like Taufel as well. Good move By Taufel. His comment will definitely help Pakistan able to host Champion Trophy with no worry at all. ICC better take notice his statement, but CA, is damn arrogrant along with Australian players

[Ram]

If anyone here think all the fuss by Australia or NZ about not wanting to visit Pakistan is about security, you're dead wrong. Its about politics, politics and MORE politics. They just dont like Pakistan anymore.

[Chaos]

i disagree, a country who couldnt save buto, heck even nigerian govt have better security