Divisions over Champions Trophy security remain

Dubai: Pakistan's chances of hosting the Champions Trophy seem to have faded further with team representatives expressing concerns over security around the tournament.

Team officials received a briefing on the situation in Pakistan from the International Cricket Council's security consultants yesterday.

The briefing ended with the representatives heavily divided on the issue and the matter has now been referred to the ICC Board.

Asked whether representatives were dissatisfied with the security in Pakistan, ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said: "I would have been surprised if concerns were not expressed during the meeting. The consultants were interrogated regarding their views on the safety and security around the competition.

Other venues

"The concerns will now be taken up by the ICC board during the course of this week and a definite decision on the location of this year's Champion Trophy will probably be available within the next 72 hours."

When asked whether the tournament could be shifted to any other venue, he said: "The board had previously taken the decision that the alternative to Pakistan will be Sri Lanka. However, the same procedure with regard to security will be followed in Sri Lanka too."

Niranjan Shah the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, told Gulf News: "It is unfortunate that the representatives are divided over the security."

But the board secretary ruled out India hosting the tournament.

He said: "In September it rains heavily in India and we would not be able to stage the event."