BEIJING, Aug 19: World cricket’s leading administrator has said the “perilously close” start of next month’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan made the ongoing uncertainty over the tournament a “concern”.

David Morgan, the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), was speaking just hours before Haroon Lorgat, the governing body’s chief executive, was due to hold a news conference in London on Tuesday following his talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Lorgat, who has already met with the England players and management, is due to hold similar discussions in his native South Africa later this week.

Players and officials from England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, are known to have severe doubts about competing in the Sept 12-28 one-day tournament because of security concerns in Pakistan.

“It’s a concern that we haven’t yet had confirmation from all eight countries that they are prepared to go to Pakistan,” Morgan said on Tuesday.

Morgan, himself a former ECB chairman, added: “The scheduled start time for the tournament is perilously close so, of course, I am concerned.”

Asked when the cut-off date for moving the tournament was, Morgan replied: “I don’t know the answer but I am sure it is capable of being played in another country should that be necessary.

“Sri Lanka is an option there are other options too but I wouldn’t wish to go into that detail at the present time.”—AFP