ICC Continues Discussion on Champions Trophy Schedule With Participating Nations

  ICC continued discussions on Champions Trophy schedule with participating nations amid speculation that entire tournament could be moved out of Pakistan following India's refusal to travel to country, a source said on Tuesday.

A chatter emerged that South Africa could be a viable alternative to organise next year's Champions Trophy but PTI understands that such discussion happened in International Cricket Council on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, it was t a surprise that ICC has also put on hold prestigious ODI tournament's launch event, which was scheduled to be held in Lahore on vember 11.

ICC, game's global governing body, has received a letter from Pakistan Cricket Board, asking for a written confirmation from BCCI for India's inability to travel to Pakistan for tournament.

PCB has conveyed to ICC that security is t an issue in country which successfully hosted England and New Zealand recently and promised same for Champions Trophy.

It remained stefast on its stand to t have event in hybrid model, like last year's Asia Cup when India's matches were held in Sri Lanka.

ICC is yet to respond to PCB and was discussing schedule with participating teams.

PTI has learnt that PCB is also t keen to host tournament outside country, t even in UAE.

However launch event in Lahore has been pushed back.

It was being planned in Lahore as per ICC manment's briefing to ICC CEC and ICC Board on 21st October in Dubai. But this has w been put on a hold, informed an ICC insider.

South Africa t being discussed as option ========================== twithstanding reports in some sections in media that South Africa could be an option to host next Champions Trophy, this option was still t talked about in any serious manner within ICC, an insider tracking developments claimed.

schedule is t confirmed, ICC is still in discussions and dialogue with host and participating nations. South Africa has t been discussed as yet, insider said.

PCB on Sunday h confirmed that it received an email from ICC that India declined to travel to neighbouring country.

India have t travelled to Pakistan since 2008 Mumbai terror strikes. two teams compete against each or only in ICC tournaments.