Icc Happy With Champions Trophy
The International Cricket Council has stated its contentment with the ‘presidential’ level of security at the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
The tournament in September has been under threat with a number of countries, including England, unsure of whether to compete due to the instability in Pakistan.
But ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said strict security measures were in place ahead of the 12th September start.
‘It is what our security advisors describe as a presidential level of security, what would be rolled out for any head of state. As far as the ICC is concerned the safety and security is satisfactory.’
Lorgat also ruled out moving the event to Sri Lanka, which is the ICC’s alternate venue, saying: ‘I think the time has passed. It is possible to postpone, to relocate or to add a ninth or 10th team but at this point in time we have no indication to the contrary.
‘The tournament is going ahead, the teams have not withdrawn and we expect the best teams to participate. We are probably at a position where it is not possible to have a world-class event elsewhere – the shorter the time-frame the less likely that is of happening.’
The Champions Trophy is scheduled to be played in Karachi and Lahore with England expected to make a decision later this week as to whether they will travel to take part.
