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Friday, 05 December 2008

Players to get "presidential" level of security in Pakistan

20/08/2008 7:33:00 AM.  | AAP
International Cricket Council officials have told England's cricketers all players will receive a "presidential" level of security for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
   
The issue of England's participation in the tournament, due to start on September 12 in Pakistan, was discussed at an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) meeting, with the ICC insisting the event would be able to go ahead as planned without recourse to a different venue.
   
Security fears have prompted New Zealand and Australia to cast doubts about competing despite their players also meeting with high-ranking figures from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport's world governing body.
   
England players had met with ICC representatives Sunday night to discuss their fears about travelling.
   
British media reports today said officials had told the players security would be as high as for a visiting head of state, seeking to allay fears that Pervez Musharraf's resignation as president would add to the uncertainty.
   
A decision on whether England will travel is due to be made by Thursday.
   
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat insisted: "It is what our security advisors describe as a presidential level of security, what would be rolled out for any head of state that is visiting the country. That is the extent of the measure we have in place.
   
"At this moment in time there is no discussion about a late move. Until members' boards or participating teams clearly indicate their view, as far as we are concerned the tournament will progress in Pakistan.
   
"The tournament is going ahead, the teams have not withdrawn and we expect the best teams to participate."
   
England skipper Kevin Pietersen had said Monday he was pleased England's players had been given the chance to put forward their views and said he believed the ECB "will take them into account when they make the big decision".
   
Earlier, David Morgan, the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC), expressed concern at the delay in confirming all the sides would go to Pakistan.
   
"It's a concern that we haven't yet had confirmation from all eight countries that they are prepared to go to Pakistan," Morgan, in Beijing to attend the Olympic Games, told AFP.
   
"The scheduled start time for the tournament is perilously close so, of course, I am concerned."
   
Former Australia fast bowler Geoff Lawson, now the coach of Pakistan, has urged his compatriots to take part after they postponed a full tour of Pakistan because of safety concerns.
   
But fresh security fears were raised last week when a roadside bomb blew up a Pakistan Air Force vehicle in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing 13 people, while fighting was also underway with militants on the Afghan border.
   
In a bid to ease concerns, the ICC have announced the 50 overs per side event will start on September 12, a day later than planned, to avoid the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
   
Monday saw Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf announce his intention to resign just hours after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf quit.
   
"I will continue to work until a new chairman is appointed and I don't see my leaving affecting the Champions Trophy because the PCB is an institution and institutions are not run by (one or two) individuals," Ashraf said.

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