ICC review not before Aug. 14

Lahore, July 30: The International Cricket Council task force’s visit to Pakistan to review security for the forthcoming Champions Trophy is not possible before August 14, and is expected on August 17 or 18, a PCB spokesman has said.

"The PCB is looking forward to the expected visit of the ICC task force, but at the moment it does not seem possible till August 14," the spokesman said, adding it was not confirmed if all eight members of the task force would come to Pakistan.

The ICC had formed an eight-member task force comprising high-ups of world cricket last week after holding a teleconference to decide whether the Champions Trophy should be held in Pakistan owing to security concerns expressed by some of the participating countries.

While the ICC reiterated its early decision of holding the event in Pakistan after the teleconference, it formed the task force to satisfy all member countries over security. Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Dr Nasim Ashraf has hailed as "positive" a stance by the players’ representative Tim May to tour Pakistan with an open mind to assess security for September’s Champions Trophy.

The tournament is slated to be held from September 11 to 28 with Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi allocated five matches each.

The ICC while giving the go-ahead to Pakistan also appointed the taskforce to ensure the country implemented the security plan it presented before the member countries.

May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations would be a part of the task commission.

Dr Ashraf said he was pleased to hear a positive and professional approach by May.

"We welcome May’s statement and hope that he will tour us with an open mind. It shows May’s professionalism and right approach," he said.

By Arrangement With Dawn