BCCI plays waiting game

The Indian cricket board, which has backed Pakistan in its bid to stage the tournament in September, now seems happy to quietly abide the International Cricket Council8217;s ICC ruling.

8220;The board is very keen that the Champions Trophy is held in Asia, and it was decided in the executive meeting that we will support Pakistan to stage the Champions Trophy,8221; board joint secretary MP Pandove told The Indian Express, quickly adding the rider, 8220;provided it meets all the norms of the ICC.8221;

8220;These norms include everything 8212; facilities, security and all the little things that come with staging the event.8221; Pandove further added: 8220;The ICC will have to take a decision, based on the law and order situation and other security arrangements.8221;

The board8217;s backing had been earlier interpreted as blind support towards the PCB, much like their recent stance in support of Zimbabwe retaining full member status, but with international pressure mounting against staging the event in Pakistan, the board now seems to be softening its stand.

Ashraf8217;s plea

Meanwhile in Karachi, PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf made a fresh attempt to salvage their chances of hosting the event. 8220;We are hopeful8230; because cricket and sports have never been the target of terrorist attacks in Pakistan and players had always been safe in Pakistan,8221; Ashraf said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

This comes as a direct response after ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat issued yet another veiled threat of taking the tournament away from Pakistan when he announced that players8217; safety and security remains an issue of utmost importance and will not be compromised with.

Zakir Khan, PCB Director of Cricket Operations, was quoted as saying that the recent blasts had not helped Pakistan8217;s cause. 8220;The truth is that even the Board now fears the worst as far as hosting the tournament is concerned. These things the blasts have not helped and they have disturbed our plans. It is difficult to convince others to come and play in Pakistan. We know it is safe and that we can provide the best security, we also successfully hosted the Asia Cup, but convincing others becomes difficult now.8221;

The Champions Trophy is due to be held in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi from September 11. Already, Cricket Australia has said it will send a team but will not force any of its players to take part in the event, but New Zealand, England and South Africa have stuck to their stance of skipping the event, putting the onus on their governments to provide clearance.

Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa had hired a private security agency to run the rule on the security measures in place during the Asia Cup, but the blasts that followed the tournament have, for now, changed the equation completely.