Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070554841900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Pakistan to host tournament along IPL lines

Principal Correspondent

Champions Trophy as scheduled

Karachi: Pakistan will host a Twenty20 Super League on the lines of India’s DLF Indian Premier League, in September 2009. “The tournament will have the World’s best players and it will also enhance the learning process for young cricketers in Pakistan as a minimum of two under-23 players have to be in the playing eleven. We will finalise the details later,” said Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman at a press conference here on Friday night.

The PCB chairman also allayed all fears about the Champions Trophy being shifted out of Pakistan in September. “It gives me great pleasure to say that the Champions Trophy will be held as per schedule in Pakistan and by successfully hosting the current Asia Cup and addressing all security concerns, we have sent a message across that Pakistan is safe and we are all looking forward to the tournament.

“As for the ICC keeping a back-up venue (South Africa), it is part of their rules and in case they did not do it they would have violated their own rules. It is like keeping a reserve day for a tournament final. All the member countries expressed their interest to come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy,” said Ashraf.

ECB thanked

The PCB chairman also thanked the England and Wales Cricket Board for being sporting and allowing the conversion of the 2006 Oval Test forfeiture in to a draw. “I thank England for not contesting a request from us to revoke the match verdict. The ICC in the highest tradition of sportsman spirit overturned that wrong decision of forfeiture.

“This may be the first time in Tests that a decision like this has been taken but I believe in the 1960s a match was awarded to New Hampshire after rains forced Glamorgan to return home. Subsequently the sun was out and though the umpires termed it as forfeiture, a week later the result was over-turned,” said Ashraf.

Meanwhile on Shoaib Akhtar’s suspended ban, Ashraf said, “It is still sub-judice and I don’t want to comment. We have the highest respect and regard for the Courts and the final verdict whenever it comes will be fully honoured.”

Ashraf also backed coach Geoff Lawson and skipper Shoaib Malik besides apologising for the misunderstanding that cropped up between the coach and the local media.