KUALA LUMPUR, March 7: Following behind the scene negotiations, England have reportedly agreed to let Pakistan host the 25th Champions Trophy which they were scheduled to stage next year.

Although still unconfirmed, the secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Brig Musarratullah Khan and the president of England Hockey Association, Mike Corby are said to have held discussions in this regard.

Pakistan, who were to organise the 23rd edition of the tournament in Lahore last November, had it taken away from them by the International Hockey Federation because of security concerns and the event moved to Rotterdam.

The PHF had requested the FIH to compensate them by allotting them the 25th Champions Trophy but England had initially refused with the president of the FIH, Els van Breda disclosing this to the media last week.

However, now it seems that way has finally been cleared for Pakistan to host the tournament. The German city of Cologne is to hold the 24th edition this year.