The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘ICC delegation happy with arrangements’

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‘ICC delegation happy with arrangements’

Karachi: The Event Director for the ICC Champions Trophy cricket, Ahmed Farooq, has said that security experts and officials of the world governing body of the sport have expressed satisfaction over the arrangements for the tournament, to be held from September 11 in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.

After the International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation completed the final leg of its security tour of Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Wednesday, Mr. Farooq told reporters that it was happy with the arrangements for the tournament.

The ICC delegation visited the three cities besides inspecting the venues to be used for the matches and practice games. It also met top officials of Interior ministry, Police and Home ministry.

The ICC Chief Executive Committee will deliberate on the report of the delegation, including independent security experts, early next month before giving the final go-ahead for the tournament to be held in Pakistan.

Pakistan has been awarded the hosting rights of the Champions Trophy for the first time.

It has been assured it will host the tournament unless any participating country has issues with the security or the delegation submits a negative report to the Chief Executive Committee.

The delegation was given a briefing today by Additional Secretary of Interior, Imtiaz Qazi, regarding security arrangements for matches to be held in Rawalpindi where the stadium is being renovated.

Mr. Farooq said the delegation had not discussed any alternate venue in case the Pindi Stadium is not completed before the tournament.

“As it is we are ensuring the stadium is complete before time and it will have all required facilities to host international matches,” he said.

He did not think security issues would hamper its organisation by the PCB. “The ICC officials were very satisfied with the security blueprint and other arrangements we are making for the tournament,” he said. — PTI

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