August 21, 2007	Tuesday	Sha’aban 7, 1428

LAHORE, Aug 20: A three-member delegation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) held a detailed discussion with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials on Monday over the matters relating to the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 to be staged in Pakistan.

The delegation comprises ICC Commercial Manager Campbell Jamieson, Event Manager Chris Tetley Communication Officer Samiul Hasan Burni. Later, Sami told journalists that the talks were constructive and positive and the PCB showed keen interest in making the event a memorable one.

He said that the PCB officials had assured the ICC of providing international standard stadia and clean fieldsa for all the matches of the ICC Champions Trophy, being held for the first time in Pakistan.

Sami added that the Champions Trophy would also be a dress rehearsal for the PCB before hosting the World Cup-2011 jointly with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The ICC official, however, avoided answers when asked if the PCB would complete the proposed upgradation of its stadia including the Gaddafi Stadium and National Stadium, Karachi well before the start of the ICC trophy. "We have no concern what the PCB is doing to improve the infrastructure. We only want international standard grounds by the time the World Cup is staged," he said.

Sami disclosed that eight countries of international ranking would participate in the championship which will be played for the duration of 15 to 17 days.

Meanwhile, sources in the PCB told Dawn that the board wanted to appoint another organising committee for the Champions Trophy, while the ICC considered it better to give the task to those who have already been appointed to organise the World Cup-2011. The PCB has already appointed Saleem Altaf as Director central organising committee of the World Cup.