Champions Trophy 2008
India backs Pakistan as Champions Trophy venue
Cricinfo staff
July 23, 2008
The ICC board's discussion - via a teleconference on Thursday - on the issue of Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy is likely to see India resist any move to change the venue, though there is a growing fear of top players from non-Asian countries pulling out. The ICC will take a final decision which, if it cannot be reached via consensus, needs a 7-3 vote.
The Indian board sees "no harm" in Pakistan hosting the tournament in September, Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, said on Wednesday. "We are supporting Pakistan as the venue of the Champions Trophy," Shah told Cricinfo. "Our Indian team had taken part in the Asia Cup without any incident. Besides, the report of the ICC's security consultants, which was presented during the briefing in Dubai (on Sunday) was positive. So the BCCI sees no harm in Pakistan hosting the tournament."
However, it's understood that if there is stiff opposition to playing in Pakistan, especially from England, Australia and New Zealand, and the ICC reiterates its inability to provide any safety guarantees, the Indian board may suggest that the tournament be shifted to Sri Lanka, the official alternate venue.
Duleep Mendis, the chief executive of Sri Lanka Cricket, had told Cricinfo earlier this week that his country was "very confident" of hosting the event if it was moved out of Pakistan. Apparently, Indian officials believe that the current security climate in Sri Lanka, where India is currently playing a Test series, is peaceful and conducive for hosting the tournament.
Another option that may be discussed during Thursday's teleconference is postponing the event, even though Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, said, "We are trying our best to hold the tournament as per schedule and hope that it is not postponed."
As of now though, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are learnt to be firmly behind Pakistan, the official host, which also seems to have gained the support of Cricket South Africa, even as players' associations from England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have warned of a pullout by cricketers who fear for their safety.
"We must give Pakistan every opportunity to host the tournament to the best of their ability," Norman Arendse, the president of Cricket South Africa (CSA) told Independent Online. "I'm inclined to support Pakistan's hosting of the tournament. I know it might sound easy for us as administrators to make such decisions as we stay home while the players go to Pakistan, but I assure you it is not so."
However, Tony Irish, the chief executive of the South Africa Cricketers' Association (SACA), said that there was a possibility of top players from his country pulling out of the tournament if it went ahead as scheduled (from September 11) in Pakistan. "I can't confirm this, but yes, there could be some players pulling out," Irish told Cricinfo.
Irish said that the players reiterated their concern at touring Pakistan after the SACA reported back to them on the ICC's security briefing in Dubai, which Irish attended. At the meeting, the players' representatives were told that the governing body or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) couldn't give any foolproof security guarantees.
"We have serious concerns with the security situation in Pakistan, especially after the briefing in Dubai," Irish said.
Arendse told Independent Online that he was aware of SACA's views and would consult Logan Naidoo, the manager of the South Africa team that toured Pakistan last year, and the rest of his board before the teleconference.
The board meeting - at which India will be represented by Shashank Manohar, the BCCI's president-elect - will consider a report on the security briefing conducted by the ICC last Sunday for officials of the eight participating nations, broadcast executives and players' representatives. However, it's learnt that the report for the ICC board does not contain any specific recommendation.
Cricinfo - India backs Pakistan as Champions Trophy venue