Sunday saw representatives of the eight teams participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2008, as well as representatives of the ICC’s Broadcast Partner ESPN STAR Sports and various player representatives, receive a security briefing on the situation i
nside Pakistan, the tournament host.The briefing, which took place in Dubai, was delivered by the ICC’s security consultants and took in arrangements during the recently-concluded Asia Cup.
The meeting also heard from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on its plans for dealing with security both in the lead-up to and during the ICC Champions Trophy.
While there was recognition the PCB had gone to great lengths to provide a high level of security during the Asia Cup and would do so again during the ICC Champions Trophy, concerns were expressed about the potential for threats beyond the PCB’s control.
These concerns will now be taken to the ICC Board during the course of this week with the Board then arriving at a definitive decision on the location of this year’s ICC Champions Trophy.
Until or unless the Board decides otherwise, the tournament will proceed in Pakistan.
The ICC Champions Trophy, due to take place in September, involves the top eight ODI sides playing 15 matches in a short, sharp tournament with two groups of four teams, semi-finals and a final.
Australia is the defending champions after beating the West Indies in the final of the 2006 event Mumbai, India.
ICC MEDIA RELEASE