Pakistan 'to pocket 2.75 mln dlrs from Trophy': AFP

LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) — Pakistan will still pocket 2.75 million dollars from the Champions Trophy despite the event being shifted to South Africa for security reasons, a top cricket official said here Tuesday.

South Africa was approved on Monday as the new host of the biennial tournament in September-October by the board of International Cricket Council (ICC) after the decision last month to take it out of troubled Pakistan.

However the ICC board decided that Pakistan will keep the hosting rights, ensuring a significant windfall for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the sport's governing body here.

"The decision of giving the Champions Trophy to South Africa hasn't changed the picture," PCB chief operating officer Salim Altaf told reporters in Lahore.

"If the ICC gives South Africa financial assistance, it would still have no impact on the PCB's share, which is 2.75 million dollars."

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Legend Miandad given key Pakistan cricket post: CNN

(CNN) -- Former national captain and coach Javed Miandad has been handed the task of reviving Pakistan's ailing cricket fortunes.

The 51-year-old was appointed director general by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Wednesday, and immediately outlined his goal to bring international matches back to the subcontinent nation following recent internal security problems.

"I will use my connections to convince teams to tour Pakistan and our cricket will be back to normal soon," he said. "My priority will be to restore the image of Pakistan cricket, which has been hit by controversies in the recent past."

This year's ICC Champions Trophy was scheduled to be played in Pakistan but it has been postponed after countries such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa refused to take part due to violence stemming from political turmoil and terrorist attacks.

The PCB is also embroiled in a row with star fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who has received bans for breaching its code of conduct and also for taking banned drugs -- as has fellow paceman Mohammad Asif.

Miandad, whose third stint as Pakistan coach ended in controversy in 2004 after a home series loss to India, has since had an acrimonious relationship with the PCB.

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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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