ICC not worried with Champions Trophy security despite Mumbai blasts

Colombo, Aug 21 (UNI) Last Monday's car bomb blast here may have prompted South Africa to pack their bags and return home but Mumbai, which was rocked by serial bomb blasts on July 11, runs no such risk and none of the participating countries have any security apprehension for the September-October Champions Trophy, says ICC President Percy Sonn.

Addressing a press conference here yesterday, Mr Sonn said he was ''deeply disappointed'' on South Africa's withdrawal from the Unitech Cup tri-series but ruled out any such possibility for the Champions Trophy matches in Mumbai.

''There is no problem with Mumbai and to the best of my knowledge, none of the countries have any security apprehension,'' he said.

''Ten teams will play over a period of 30 days in four venues.

This is an ICC event and we have definite security plans for the tournament. And the stadium standards have also been upgraded.

In all, it promises to be a grand show and there is no concern about security in Mumbai,'' Mr Sonn added.

He also said that for ICC tournaments he is in favour of pre-tournament security assessment by ICC accredited agencies.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan criticised the prevailing ''mentality'' among the tourists that the sub-continent is quite unsafe, as if Europe is haven.

''This is all about the mentality that sub-continent is unsafe and Europe is the only safe place. Now, how can you change that? It was very unfair that South Africa pulled out of the tournament,'' he said.

Upset at the Proteas' pullout, the offie said he was not interested in whether South Africa should be punished for the withdrawal or not.

''That's for ICC and the (Sri Lankan) Board to decide. We are players and our job is to play. I just wish they stayed back and we could play to prove it's really safe. Regarding punishment, it's upto the ICC. As players, we don't get into politics and all that,'' he added.

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