Pakistan to host Champions Trophy
Thursday, July 31 2008 -- The International Cricket Council has announced that the Champions Trophy which is scheduled to start in September will be held in Pakistan despite opposition from the cricketing boards of non- Asian countries like Australia, England and New Zealand. 
The Champions Trophy is said to be ranked as the second major tournament in cricket after the World Cup. In the light of recent terror attacks in Pakistan, the nations expressed their concern in sending their national teams to play in the tournament.
Chief Executive, Australian Cricketer’s Association, Paul Marsh said, "There has been 66 suicide bombings in the past year in Pakistan and of those, 15 have been in cities that are scheduled to host games”
"For our players, we've gone through this with a fine tooth comb and we just don't think the risk to go to Pakistan is acceptable," "I am very hopeful Cricket Australia make that decision.”
Inzamam-ul Haq, Former Pakistan captain said, "If a player has any concern, I am happy to talk to them," "As someone who has played at the highest level, I would never advise cricketers to put their lives or careers at stake. But I firmly believe Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and the players should trust the ICC, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and the Pakistan government,"
Inzamam said that pulling out of the tournament would not only be disastrous to Pakistan, but also to world cricket.
"The players have to understand and realise that if they pull out it will not help the cause of cricket, it may devalue an important tournament and stop the development process in Pakistan," "Pakistan is a sport loving country and by pulling out, they will be denying the opportunity to millions of local supporters who want to see them in action,"
The ICC has arranged a task force to guarantee that Pakistan implements a full security plan for the event.
Paul Marsh
The Champions Trophy is said to be ranked as the second major tournament in cricket after the World Cup. In the light of recent terror attacks in Pakistan, the nations expressed their concern in sending their national teams to play in the tournament.
Chief Executive, Australian Cricketer’s Association, Paul Marsh said, "There has been 66 suicide bombings in the past year in Pakistan and of those, 15 have been in cities that are scheduled to host games”
"For our players, we've gone through this with a fine tooth comb and we just don't think the risk to go to Pakistan is acceptable," "I am very hopeful Cricket Australia make that decision.”
Inzamam-ul Haq, Former Pakistan captain said, "If a player has any concern, I am happy to talk to them," "As someone who has played at the highest level, I would never advise cricketers to put their lives or careers at stake. But I firmly believe Pakistan is a safe place to play cricket and the players should trust the ICC, the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) and the Pakistan government,"
Inzamam said that pulling out of the tournament would not only be disastrous to Pakistan, but also to world cricket.
"The players have to understand and realise that if they pull out it will not help the cause of cricket, it may devalue an important tournament and stop the development process in Pakistan," "Pakistan is a sport loving country and by pulling out, they will be denying the opportunity to millions of local supporters who want to see them in action,"
The ICC has arranged a task force to guarantee that Pakistan implements a full security plan for the event.
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