ICC takes away Champions Trophy hosting rights from Pakistan

ICC takes away Champions Trophy hosting rights from Pakistan Perth, Feb 1 (PTI) Citing lingering security problems, the International Cricket Council (ICC) today withdrew the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy from Pakistan.The ICC, after its two-day Board meeting here, said conditions were unsuitable for hosting the prestigious event in the trouble-torn country but Pakistan would still receive hosting revenue.
The new venue will be decided before the next ICC Board meeting in April.
The Champions Trophy had been postponed from 2008 to September this year due to security concerns held by several teams.
"The (ICC) Board accepted that, with several members expressing reservations about touring Pakistan, it would be prudent to relocate the event, scheduled for September-October, from that country," the ICC said.
"In view of the challenges facing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) which are out of its control, the (ICC) Board agreed that, irrespective of the location of the event, Pakistan would retain the revenue due for hosting the tournament," it added.
ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said "in the course of next month the (ICC) Board will decide finally where the new venue would be." Lorgat said India's cancellation of its team's proposed tour to Pakistan carried weight to other member Boards which had earlier shown reluctance to play in Pakistan due to security concerns.
"We all know what is transpiring in Pakistan and India has now got a government directive not to tour, which adds some weight to countries who had previously indicated they were not keen to tour Pakistan," he said at a press conference after the two-day ICC Board meeting. PTI