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| July 25, 2008 | Friday | Rajab 21, 1429 |
South African players disappointed
JOHANNESBURG, July 24: The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision on Thursday to keep the Champions Trophy in Pakistan was met with dismay by the South African team.
The ICC had earlier discussed the troubled security situation in Pakistan and decided the tournament would go ahead there in September, despite reservations expressed by players from New Zealand, Australia and England.
The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) said they shared those concerns and would seek an urgent meeting with Cricket South Africa (CSA) to discuss the situation.
“The South African team are very disappointed with today’s decision and remain extremely concerned about safety and security in Pakistan,” Tony Irish, chief executive officer of SACA, said on Thursday.
“We hope CSA will sit down with us and talk to us about whether they are seriously considering sending a team to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan or not,” Irish added.
The CSA had said Pakistan should be given “every opportunity to host the tournament to the best of their ability”.
Meanwhile, England’s senior players will be asked if they want to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy after the ICC decision on Thursday. The ICC confirmed on Thursday that the event would not be moved after the PCB offered safety assurances.
But it is understood the ECB, with their counterparts in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are unhappy at the ruling.
The ECB will consult key figures in the England squad to see if they are still willing to make the trip and a decision could come as soon as Friday.
If the players opt not to go the ECB would have to decide whether to send an under-strength team or pull out of the event entirely.
A spokesman for the ECB said: “Following the decision of the ICC, the ECB will be having further extensive discussions with a number of key stakeholders — including England players and Team England — to determine our decision.
“Once those discussions are concluded, the ECB will be in a position to make a clear decision.”—Agencies
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