Champions Trophy postponed until 2009
Cricinfo staff
August 24, 2008
The Champions Trophy has been set back after the ICC task force's visit to Pakistan failed to ease security concerns Getty Images
The ICC has postponed the Champions Trophy, which was due to begin in Pakistan in 19 days' time, to October 2009, after five of the eight participating nations confirmed during a teleconference on Sunday that they would not send their teams for the event due to security concerns.
South Africa had on Saturday pulled out of the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be held from Sept 12-28 in Karachi and Lahore, and the ICC was informed on Sunday that Australia, England, New Zealand and West Indies, too, would not be participating.
The ICC will now meet in September to finalise a window for the tournament in 2009 and, while Pakistan will be given 'first preference' to host it, a decision on the venue may be taken only after a security assessment of the country is done around February, after the India tour.
Sources who attended the ICC's teleconference said there was the option of the tournament being relocated to Sri Lanka, the official alternate venue, but India and Pakistan remained adamant against a change.
Timeline
May 1, 2006 - The ICC awards the 2008 Champions Trophy to Pakistan
March 11, 2008 - Australia postpone their tour to Pakistan over security fears
March 19 - ICC says Sri Lanka will be the alternate venue
June 18 - Official launch of Champions Trophy
June 19 - Ricky Ponting says Australian players are uneasy with touring Pakistan
July 6 - Pakistan successfully stages six-nation Asia Cup
July 24 - ICC keeps Champions Trophy in Pakistan after board meeting, high-level task force appointed
July 24 to 26 - Players lobbies step up pressure to pull out Kevin Pietersen urges ECB to make Champions Trophy decision Graeme Smith has 'major concerns'
Aug 10 - ICC task team travels to Pakistan to assess security
Aug 12 - ICC drops Rawalpindi as one of the venues
Aug 14 to 17 - Geoff Lawson deployed by ICC to convince Australia and New Zealand the task force, along with Lawson, meet Australian officials New Zealand and Australian players' associations remain unconvinced ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat briefs England team Aug 19 - Top ICC officials meet in Dubai, announce teleconference for August 24
Aug 22 - South Africa withdraw from tournament
Aug 24 - ICC postpones trophy until next year, Pakistan keep hosting rights
India, the sources said, were not willing to sacrifice Pakistan. The Sri Lankans too didn't press their case, as they supported the Pakistan view that a venue change could not be made on security grounds. The meeting was held in an amicable atmosphere because most of the issues had been thrashed out among the members beforehand, rendering the final discussions a mere formality.
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