May 4, 2006	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1427

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LAHORE, May 3: Pakistan will host the 2008 Champions Trophy in Sept-Oct and not in Feb-March as was announced earlier by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ad hoc chairman Shaharyar M. Khan on Tuesday.

PCB chief had stated that the Champions Trophy 2008 was to be held during Feb-March.

The ICC allotted the event to Pakistan last Sunday, besides also awarding the 2011 World Cup to South Asia.

"We cannot organise the Champions Trophy in Feb-March because Australia’s tour to Pakistan is scheduled then.

Besides the Champions Trophy has always been organised in Sept-Oct as most of the teams, including England, have off-season during the period," PCB Director Cricket Operations Saleem Altaf told journalists on Wednesday.

Saleem said that Pakistan was also available for the proposed triangular series to be held in Abu Dhabi in September. India and Australia are the other teams.

"Pakistan will return from England by Sept 12 while it will have to play the first match of this year's Champions Trophy on Oct 17. So there is enough time to play in Abu Dhabi," he said.

He disclosed that fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was likely to resume bowling from next week in the presence of trainer Grant Compton.

Compton, who is with Pakistan 'A' team, participating in the EurAsia series in Abu Dhabi, was likely to return on Saturday.

Shoaib Akhtar had problems with his ankle and knee after playing the last home series against England and needed surgery in Australia. He has since been undergoing light training.

Saleem further said Shoaib Malik, who had a minor operation of his elbow in South Africa on April 26, would be invited to the training camp starting here from May 25 for the forthcoming tour of England.

He said that former Test batsman Zaheer Abbas was a candidate for the slot of the team’s manager for England tour.

Zaheer, who was given the first assignment in the last tour of Sri Lanka, was not considered for two back-to-back ODIs against India played in Abu Dhabi on April 18 and 19.