Pakistan may lose CT hosting rights

Dubai, Oct 15 (UNI) With some member countries pressing for the Champions Trophy to be organised at one place instead of adopting a rotation policy, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Executive Board during its meeting here debated on making changes in the format of the event.

A well placed source in the ICC said member countries had now started talking about making changes in the format, aiming at depriving Pakistan of the right to host the event in September-October next year.

''Some of the member countries have openly started talking on making changes in the format of the Champions Trophy and favour the idea to host the prestigious event in one place instead of adopting a rotation policy,'' the source confirmed.

The new direction on the Champions Trophy was in a sharp contrast to what the members had adopted during the September 11 meeting held at the same venue.

It was unanimously decided in that meeting that Pakistan had got every right to host the Champions Trophy in September-October next year.

Pakistan, during that particular meeting, successfully defended its right to host the event. The ICC members were fully convinced that Pakistan had every right to host the Champions Trophy.

''It was decided in that meeting that a security team would visit Pakistan at the conclusion of the India team's tour to Pakistan in March 2009.

''It would be after judging the security measures in Pakistan that the final decision on the Trophy would be made. All members were convinced during that meeting that no decision should be taken till the ICC security team visits Pakistan in March 2009,'' the source added.

The PCB officials did a wonderful job in previous meetings to keep the Champions Trophy rights with Pakistan and the efforts in the same lines on the second day (today) here could ensure the Trophy hosting rights stay to the country.

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