Top cricket officials to discuss security situation in Pak

Dubai, July 18 (PTI) Pakistan's fate as the venue of the
high-profile Champions Trophy may be decided Sunday when top
cricket officials of participating nations meet here to
discuss the security situation in the strife-torn nation.
With security concerns mounting ahead of the Champions
Trophy scheduled to be held in Pakistan in September, the
I.C.C. has called the meeting to brief all the participating
nations on security matters.
Although the I.C.C. maintained that there was no threat
to the troubled country's right to host the elite event as of
now, many players from countries like England, Australia and
South Africa have expressed reservations about playing there.
"Prior to the meeting, the I.C.C. will not indulge in
speculation and, at this stage, the tournament will proceed in
Pakistan, as scheduled," the I.C.C. said in a statement.
The statement further said, "The timing of the briefing
was agreed upon during the I.C.C.'s annual conference week, in
early July, to allow the I.C.C.'s security consultants to
provide a comprehensive report of arrangements at the Asia
Cup. This was not possible previously as that tournament was
still ongoing."
Representatives of the I.C.C.'s Broadcast Partner ESPN
STAR Sports and the Federation of International Cricketers'
Associations (FICA) have also been invited to attend the
briefing.