Asia Cup to decide Pak's Champions Trophy fate: ICC

Lahore, Jun 18 (UNI) Acknowledging the passion for cricket in the country, ICC president Ray Mali said a successful staging of the upcoming Asia Cup will be crucial to Pakistan's Champion Trophy hopes.

''The successful holding of the Asia Cup by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will be the barometer for the ICC Champions Trophy,'' Mali told mediapersons after arriving at the Islamabad airport yesterday.

''People here love cricket and hence the Champions Trophy was awarded to Pakistan. But the final decision will be made at the ICC executive committee meeting that will be held in Dubai on June 29,'' he added.

''I am excited about this Champions Trophy. This country has been starved off good cricket for some time and this Champions Trophy is remedy for this.'' Mali is heading an International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation which is visiting Pakistan to access the preparations for the Champions Trophy and TO attend the official launch ceremony here.

Meanwhile, PCB Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf, who accompanied Mali, asserted that all the security arrangements have been completed for the Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.

Several countries, most notably defending champions Australia and New Zealand, have expressed their reservations over Pakistan's hosting of the Champions Trophy from September 11 to 28 given the unstable security situation in the country.

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