Pakistan hosting Champions Trophy-2009 undone

**sheem** · 01-02-2009, 02:20 PM

Pakistan hosting Champions Trophy-2009 undone

PERTH: The ICC has decided to move the postponed 2009 Champions Trophy out of Pakistan due to several members expressing reservations about touring the troubled country, during the second day of the ICC board meeting in Perth. The location of the event has yet to be finalised by the ICC, and a decision is expected before the tournament''s next scheduled meeting, in April.

"It is unfortunate the ICC Champions Trophy will not take place in Pakistan due to circumstances completely beyond the control of the PCB," said Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive. "However, the board has accepted the need for certainty in planning for and delivering a world-class event and will now assess where the event should be held."

In October, the ICC had rescheduled the tournament to take place next September, after it was abandoned earlier this year due to security concerns over Pakistan''s political stability. The ICC will send a delegation to visit Pakistan and work with the PCB to find ways bring back international cricket. Pakistan has struggled to attract touring teams for a number of years owing to their concerns over its security. Two home series, against Australia and West Indies, were relocated in the aftermath of the 9/11 bombings in America in 2001, and Australia also postponed their full tour of Pakistan this year. India then pulled out of a tour in the aftermath of the Mumbai terrorist strikes, following, which Sri Lanka agreed to a split tour early this year.

The Champions Trophy is expected to rake in around US $40 million, most of which will be redeployed for the development of the game