Talking to reporters after attending the full-dress rehearsal at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday while heading the seven-member task force, Haroon said: “Personally, I am satisfied with the arrangements made for hosting the Champions Trophy but most important issue is how to get the confidence of key players.”
Some players of Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa are reluctant over visiting Pakistan due to security concern. The ICC task force’s current visit to Pakistan is also an attempt to personally examine the arrangements and then try to convince all the players about their safe stay in the country.
“Soon the task force will visit Australia, New Zealand and England to have discussion with the respective cricket authorities and their players to take them into the confidence,” he said.
Haroon also confirmed earlier reports that Rawalpindi may be axed as the venue for the trophy. “Our security consultant also advised not to hold matches at Pindi Stadium, because it was not the venue of the last Asia Cup (held in Pakistan from June 25 to July 6), so it is difficult to clear it as venue,” he said.
The ICC task force, instead of holding the full-dress rehearsal at the Pindi Stadium to examine the facilities there, decided to hold it at Gaddafi Stadium on Monday and also at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday, both being the venues of last month’s Asia Cup.
To a question, Lorgat said the start of the event was extended by a day - from Sept 11 to 12 - because it was not convenient for the players to attend the ‘Players Award ceremony” on Sept 10 and to play the first match the very next next day. Furthermore, the security consultant also advised to start it from Sept 12, he said.
Earlier, the full-dress rehearsal at the Gaddafi Stadium was delayed for almost three hours because the task force reached Lahore from Islamabad by road after the rainy weather disturbed the PIA flight schedule on Monday.
The entire area in and around the Gaddafi Stadium had been cordoned-off, not allowing even a single vehicle to go through it since early afternoon as security forces patrolled in huge numbers.
Our Sports Reporter from Islamabad adds: The ICC task force members visiting Pakistan to review the security arrangements for the Champions Trophy have expressed their reservations over successful holding of matches at Rawalpindi, the third proposed venue for the mega event.
Speaking to the media personnel at the Ministry of Interior’s offices here on Monday, Lorgat said: “We may reduce the Champions Trophy event to just two venues — Lahore and Karachi. However, the event will stay in Pakistan.
“During the recently held Asia Cup there were no matches played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and that didn’t give us any opportunity to check the security arrangements here,” said Lorgat who is leading the high-profile ICC task force on the tour aimed at removing the reservations of players from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England.
The fact that the task force members did not visit Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium at all on Monday further consolidated reports of the venue being axed. Five matches including a semi-final were scheduled to be held at Rawalpindi Stadium during the mega event.
Secretary Interior Syed Kamal Shah, Additional Secretary Interior Imtiaz Qadri, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) top brass and officials from the security department also attended Monday’s security briefing.
Commenting on the meeting, Lorgat said: “The meeting was held in a good atmosphere and was very constructive. All of us have to ensure the safety of the players and officials and are working towards that.
“The attitude and willingness of the Pakistan government officials to implement security measures was very positive” Lorgat concluded.
Meanwhile, Shafqat Naghmi, Chief Operating Officer PCB, in his brief statement, said the ICC, in its last board meeting, had also expressed concern over Rawalpindi being the third venue for the trophy matches.