Pakistan Hope to Fill gap Of Champions Trophy Delay

Pakistan are confident that they will be able to confirm a tri-series in either South Africa or Australia in order to fill the gap created by the postponement of the Champions Trophy which was scheduled to be held in September.

Shafqat Naghmi, Pakistan board's chief operating officer, told the News that they would contact Australia and South Africa to fix matches for September.

"We are hoping to play a tri-series in South Africa with India. The Indian board president during the teleconference gave us 50% assurance that this might be possible," Naghmi told PTI. "We have also spoken to Australia so if the South African plan does not materialise we can involve them. We first have to see how the Indian board responds because their participation will help boost broadcasters and sponsors interest in such a series."

Pakistan could also invite either India or Sri Lanka for a home series but they've already played against them this year. Pakistan are also hosting India for a full Test and one-day series early next year.

"We don't want to take any gloss away from what is our most important home assignment [against India] by playing against them so close to the series," Naghmi said. "Sri Lanka is also an option."

"The postponement of the Champions Trophy means that all the teams are free next month and I think they can help us out. Obviously the postponement has been a setback for us in many ways and we need to play cricket."

Australia are set to tour Pakistan next April for a five-match one-day series and a Twenty20 and Naghmi was optimistic they would honour their commitment. However, he admitted his disappointment at the non-Asian teams for pulling out of the Champions Trophy.

"We are definitely disappointed by Australia because they have not toured us for 10 years," Naghmi told AFP. "Australia have a commitment of playing five one-day internationals in April next year so we hope by then their fears are removed and they play in our country."

The ICC 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.

yes its a very good step pcb is taking that to invite some big teams to their country so that pakistans moral boost up and they will surely take the hosting of champians trophy 2009
but i think that in pkaistan the terrorists are not attacking the cricketers coz they are not enemies of cricket

Yeah, I guess the Pakistan Cricket Board needs to fill its coffers somehow eh :p

I think its a good move really, they were preparing for the Champions Trophy for so long ,and with it being canceled, it leaves a big vacuum in their schedule. Its good they're scheduling a few tournaments to ensure that their players remain match fit and do not idle all over the place.

I don't know why Australia always doing this to pakistan, as they didn't toured pakistan for more than 10 years without any specific reason. but the PCB's decision to arrange some tournaments instead Champions Trophy is great decision for the spectator of cricket.

Thanks
Sophia Alliee