August 20, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 17, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 19: While insisting that his decision to resign as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is final, Dr Nasim Ashraf has declared that Pakistan will withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy if the eight-nation contest is shifted to any other venue.

“The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan and there are no chances of shifting the event from Pakistan to any other country,” Dr Ashraf said while talking to Dawn on Tuesday.

He further said that the Asian nations have, in principle, agreed with the stance of Pakistan that there were no security concerns in the country and the event must be held in Pakistan.“If the ICC shifts the Champions Trophy to any other venue Pakistan will pull out from the biennial event,” he responded to a question about the PCB stance if the event was switched to an alternative venue.

Security remained the prime concern for some players from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and England, the four participating teams for the Sept 12-28 eight-nation event.

About leaving the top PCB post, Dr Ashraf maintained that his decision was final.

“In any case this was my final decision to step down and I will not take back my resignation as it is my moral obligation to do so,” he insisted.

Dr Ashraf’s resignation came on Monday after Gen (rtd) Pervez Musharraf, who was also the ex-officio patron in chief of the board, resigned as president of Pakistan earlier in the day.

When enquired if the new patron in chief asked him to continue the job as the PCB chief, Dr Ashraf stated: “I think it is up to the acting president to decide for the new chairman. However, I am not interested in running the organisation.”

About the recent rumours that Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson is not going to return, the former PCB boss said he had no knowledge of it but added that the coach, a former Australian Test paceman, was on leave.

“I am not aware of any such rumours. But I know one thing that Lawson is on annual leave to spend the holidays in his country,” he expressed.

Regarding the imposition of ad hoc on the PCB, Dr Ashraf stated: “The ad hoc at this juncture, when Pakistan is ready to host the ICC Champions Trophy, will result in nothing but a disaster for the game and the country’s cricket image internationally.”