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Naghmi: Pakistan ready to host Champions Trophy
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident of staging the Champions Trophy as representatives of the eight teams meet here today for a security briefing from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the security in Pakistan.
- By K.R. Nayar, Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:05 July 19, 2008
Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is confident of staging the Champions Trophy as representatives of the eight teams meet here today for a security briefing from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on the security in Pakistan.
Shafqat Naghmi, the Chief Operating Officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board, is already here to hold talks with the representatives of the teams.
Speaking to Gulf News, Naghmi said: "The International Cricket Council (ICC) has not said that the Champions Trophy won't be held in Pakistan. So as far as we are concerned we are going ahead with our preparations to stage the tournament."
Doubts as to whether the event will be held in Pakistan began following a series of suicide bombings this year. Some participating countries and a few players had also expressed their reluctance to play in Pakistan.
Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive had remarked that: "The ICC will not compromise the safety and security of any individual at one of its tournaments and if it is not appropriate to play in any country then we will not do so. Our security consultants have been working with the Pakistan authorities during the Asia Cup, assessing security."
Alternative venue
According to Naghmi the security measures were excellent during the Asia Cup and that his board has done a wonderful job. However, the ICC had officially announced that in case they are not satisfied with the security in Pakistan then the alternative venue will be Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, it is understood that some nations have expressed their desire to have the tournament dates shifted.
"As far as we are concerned there is no need of shifting of the dates and we will be ready in time for the tournament," said Naghmi.
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