Champions Trophy 2008: Pakistan confirmed as hosts: Cricinfo

Cricinfo staff

July 24, 2008

he ICC board has decided to go ahead with staging the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, as originally planned, ending months of speculation over the venue in light of security concerns. Cricinfo has learnt that a majority of the governing body's executive board, which conducted a teleconference on Thursday to decide on the issue, felt any shift would "set a precedent" and be "a tremendous blow to the region, especially ahead of the 2011 World Cup", to be jointly organised by the four Asian boards.

However, while seven of the ICC board's ten Full Members, spearheaded by India, expressed their overwhelming support for Pakistan, it is believed that at least three - England, Australia and New Zealand - have informed the governing body that their players "don't want to" play in Pakistan due to the prevailing security climate there".

The ICC's chief executive, Haroon Lorgat, later told reporters in Colombo that no player opting to pull out would be penalised, nor would their respective boards.

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