ICC to decide on CT venue by March 2009
The ICC Executive Board will take a final decision on whether the Champions Trophy, which has been postponed till 2009, should remain in Pakistan or be relocated during a meeting in March next year.
Sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board have confirmed that March is the deadline for confirming the venue of the tournament which was to be held in Pakistan from September 12 but has been postponed due to the security concerns raised by some teams.
“The ICC is having a meeting on September 11 and 12 to decide the best dates for the tournament when it is held next year. But the final decision on whether it will remain in Pakistan will be taken in March,” one source said.
He said in case some countries still refuse to play in Pakistan next year, the ICC will relocate it but Pakistan would get compensation of $ three million which is the hosting fees for the event.
“The ICC member countries have basically decided to wait and see if the situation changes in Pakistan in the next six months and if this happens then the Champions Trophy would remain with us,” the source said.
The ICC has also asked its member countries to send in suggestions for making slight changes in the Future Tours Program to accommodate new dates for the eight-nation tournament.
“There will be some changes in the FTP as the Champions Trophy where ever it is held will take three weeks for which all teams must be available,” the source said.
He confirmed that the ICC Executive Board teleconference in which it was decided to postpone the Champions Trophy some members had pushed for the ICC to announce a new venue the same day.
“But we and India threatened to boycott the event if any hasty decision was made after which it was decided to adopt a wait and see policy until next march.
“The Indian team’s tour to Pakistan from early January will be used to make assessments about the security situation in Pakistan,” he stated.
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