Champions Trophy cricket tournament in September 2009

The much delayed Champions Trophy cricket tournament, originally scheduled in Pakistan in September this year, will be held Sep 24-Oct 5 next year. The International Cricket Committee (ICC) will later recview if Pakistan will be the venue again.

'We are delighted at being able to slot the ICC Champions Trophy into the FTP in 2009 thus maintaining the primacy of ICC events,' ICC president David Morgan said at a press conference here Wednesday following a two-day board meeting.

However, the security situation in Pakistan, for which the tournament was delayed, will come up for review again after India's tour to its subcontinental neighbour.

'September-October next year is some way off. We have committed to review the location after India's visit to Pakistan,' ICC chief-executive Haroon Lorgat said.

India is scheduled to play three Tests, five one-dayers and a Twenty20 international during its tour to Pakistan in January-February next year.

The ICC has also decided to reduce the duration of the tournament to 12 days, instead of the 17 days and the tournament will be held in one city only.

"The tournament, with its new format of the top eight teams playing in a short, sharp event, is vitally important for the game because it allows those members, as well as the developing cricket world, to grow the sport," Lorgat said, adding that the teamwork shown by the members in deciding the dates was very encouraging.

The eight-team event was originally scheduled in Pakistan Sep 12-28 this year but had to be postponed till October next year after South Africa pulled out of the event due to security fears.

Other top teams like Australia, New Zealand and England were also unwilling to participate in the championship after several players threatened to pull out citing security concerns.

The ICC then deputed Lorgat early September to work out a solution in consultation with the boards of the participating teams.

Following this, ICC received a presentation on the subject at its two-day board meeting, which concluded here Wednesday.

The ICC decision to hold the tournament in September-October is in line with its regulation, which stipulates that a tournament has to be held within 13 months of the postponed original scheduled dates.