23 Aug 2008

Indian cricket backs Pakistan as Trophy host

5:31 pm on 23 August 2008

The Indian cricket board wants Pakistan to remain as hosts for next month's Champions Trophy amid doubts over the competition's fate due to security concerns for some participating teams.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Niranjan Shah says the administration is fully supporting Pakistan.

Tomorrow the International Cricket Council executive board will hold a teleconference to decide whether the premier eight-team event will stay in Pakistan.

South Africa has pulled out of the event and a senior Pakistan Cricket Board official says New Zealand England and Australia could follow suit, having raised concerns following a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistan.

Shah said it would be up to the PCB to discuss any other options if the ruling body chose not to stage the event in Pakistan.

Sri Lanka is the designated replacement host although ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat has said it was now too late to switch the tournament.