Pakistan Keeps Champions Trophy
Trophy news from Pakistan
The International Cricket Council says September’s Champions Trophy event will remain in Pakistan, after appointing a special task force to ensure security.
The ICC discussed the possibility of moving the tournament because of security fears raised by Australia, England and New Zealand.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Naseem Ashraf said: “We thank all member countries for their kind support.”
The security commission will include the British ICC president David Morgan. He will be joined by a representative from the tournament’s official broadcasters, ESPN-Star, and a member of the Federation of International Cricketers Association.
However, a bomb blast in the capital Islamabad on July 6 killed 19 people, mostly police, and there was a series of minor blasts in Karachi the following day which killed one person and wounded dozens.
Rawalpindi, which adjoins Islamabad, is one of three venues for the Champions Trophy along with Lahore and Karachi.
The Champions Trophy will be the largest international cricket event in Pakistan since it co-hosted the World Cup with India in 1996.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has always insisted the eight-nation, 18-day Champions Trophy tournament can proceed safely.
England’s first match is against Sri Lanka in Karachi, on 14 September.
Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh had been among those urging a change of venue.
“Based on expert reports read and heard during Sunday’s meeting there is no way the ACA can recommend touring Pakistan at this time,” Marsh said.
This article originally appeared in Yahoo News & BBC Sports
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