Pakistan moved a step closer to holding the ICC Champions Trophy on Friday when the Pakistan Cricket Board signed the hosting rights agreement with the International Cricket Council.
There have been doubts raised in the Indian media whether Pakistan will stay as the host country for the Champions Trophy. And not without valid reason. It bears noting that the Asian Cricket Council, which conducts the Asia Cup and has BCCI secretary Jay Shah at its helm, had forced the PCB into hosting most of the matches of September’s Asia Cup (for which it had hosting rights) in Sri Lanka.
But PCB chief Zaka signing the hosting agreement at the ICC headquarters is a step (with many more still to go) towards assuring Pakistan will stay on as hosts.
“PCB management committee chairman Mr Zaka Ashraf was joined by ICC general counsel Jonathan Hall in the signing of the hosting rights to Pakistan at the ICC headquarters,” the PCB stated in a news release.
The PCB in its capacity has already informed the Pakistan government to provide foolproof security to visiting international teams for the Champions Trophy.
Pakistani media reports indicate that if there is a security threat, the ICC will be contractually bound to get it verified from the international security organisations and then ask the PCB for its reports.
There, however, is nothing in the hosting rights agreement regarding India’s confirmed participation at the tournament if it is held in Pakistan.
