July 17, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 13, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 16: While the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reiterated there is no change yet in its stance over holding the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the South African Cricketers Association (SACA) is still undecided over its players’ participation in the prestigious event.

“Yes, the South African players and their association do have some concerns regarding the Champions Trophy in Pakistan,” Tony Irish, Chief Executive SACA, said in a message received by Dawn when he was asked whether the South African players have some security concerns, on Wednesday.

The Champions Trophy limited-overs tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from Sept 11 to 28.

Players from England, Australia and New Zealand have already shown security concerns in recent past over touring Pakistan as the country witnessed a bomb blast in Islamabad earlier this month followed by a series of low-intensity explosions in Karachi.

About the possibility of South Africa’s participation in the forthcoming mega event, Tony said a decision was yet to be taken. “No decisions have been taken at this stage and I will attend the ICC meeting in Dubai on Sunday.”

When asked about the statement of players who have shown concerns he said presently the players will not interact with the media.

“Our players will not be making any comment in the media at this stage,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, ICC Manager Media and Communications, Brian Murgatroyd told Dawn on telephone from the ICC headquarters in Dubai that an eight- member board will be briefed about the security report prepared by the ICC security consultants Nicholls-Steyn and Associates on the recently held Asia Cup, which was staged in Pakistan, and the general security situation in the country.

“It was already decided at the ICC board meeting that the eight cricket boards will be given a presentation about the Asia Cup security as well as the overall security report prior to the

ICC Champions Trophy,” Murgatroyd said.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted the six-nation Asia Cup with a considerable degree of success, without any security issues.

About staging the event in Pakistan Murgatroyd stated that at this stage the ICC Champions Trophy is all set to be held in Pakistan.

“At this stage we can confirm that the event is scheduled to be held in Pakistan and there is no change in the ICC stance,” he said.

South Africa and Sri Lanka are the two alternative venues for the Champions Trophy if the contest is shifted from Pakistan.

Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore: PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi said on Wednesday that the ICC will discuss the fate of the Champions Trophy at a meeting in Dubai on Sunday.

Naghmi will represent Pakistan in the meeting.

Agencies adds: Concerned about the security situation in Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy there, the ICC has convened a meeting in Dubai this weekend to discuss the matter.

“The ICC has convened a meeting in Dubai on July 19 and 20 to discuss security-related matters for the Champions Trophy,” informed BCCI sources said here. “The recent bomb blast in Karachi (during the Asia Cup that ended on July 6) seems to have made things a bit more different than what the case was earlier,” they said.