 Sinking feeling grips PCB regarding hosting of Champions Trophy
16th Aug 2008 20:01 IST
Agencies
Pakistan Cricket Board ran quarter page advertisements in newspapers today announcing the launch of Champions Trophy but there is a sinking feeling of a losing battle among its officials and they are "expecting the worst" in the next few days, say sources.
According to well-informed sources in the Board, strong chances are that the Champions Trophy might be relocated or postponed even as Australia and New Zealand refused to confirm their participation despite briefings from ICC task force in the last 48 hours on the security arrangements being made for the event slated to be held from September 12.
"Some teams have also raised questions about the timing of the competition in Pakistan when Muslims the world over fast in the holy month of Ramazan," one source said.
"The truth is that even within the PCB there is a sinking feeling of a losing battle and they are expecting the worst in the next few days," said the source, who is well aware of the cricket developments said.
The same feeling is prevailing in the ICC camp office in Lahore although no one is willing to speak on record.
"If the ICC manages to convince the teams that Champions Trophy should be held in Pakistan then it would be a major achievement but at the moment most of the teams are in the comfortable position of defending themselves by pointing out that the travel advisories to them by their foreign office does not encourage travelling to Pakistan," the source said.
Even former players are questioning the role of PCB during the exercise being carried out by the ICC task force to convince teams to play in Pakistan.
continued.. |
