Dave Richardson: "The safety and security of players, teams, officials and spectators is always the concern of the ICC".
Dave Richardson, the ICC's acting chief executive, is satisfied with the security situation in Pakistan "at this time" and has said the ICC is "comfortable" with Pakistan hosting the Champions Trophy in September.
"The security situation anywhere in the world is very fluid, it can change from time to time," Richardson said ahead of the Champions Trophy's launch ceremony in Lahore. "At this time we are comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to host the event and the fact is that we are proceeding with the arrangements."
Richardson, ICC president Ray Mali and other ICC officials are currently in Pakistan and besides inspecting the three Champions Trophy venues - Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi - they will be meeting officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government.
The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) had recently expressed reservations on the ICC's decision to host the event in Pakistan. "There may be some players, organisations and member countries who might express some (security) concerns from time to time," Richardson said. "But what must be remembered is that safety and security of players, teams, officials and spectators is always the concern of the ICC.
"We will be monitoring the (security) situation on a daily basis from now on until the conclusion of the event and those parties who have concerns about the situation would be apprised," he said.
The ICC's executive board will be meeting in Dubai later this month and Richardson said the Full Member countries will discuss the security situation in Pakistan. "The board will make a decision as to the staging of the event because the Champions Trophy is one of the most important events in cricket calendar and it pits the best against the best."
In March this year, Australia postponed their tour of Pakistan due to security fears which forced the PCB to invite Bangladesh for a five-match one-day series. Sri Lanka is the alternative venue in case the event has to be shifted from Pakistan.
Shafqat Naghmi, the PCB's chief operating officer, was also present at the launch and said the competition would be the first major ICC tournament in Pakistan since it co-hosted the 1996 World Cup with India and Sri Lanka. "The Champions Trophy is very important for cricket in Pakistan, not only we are expecting high quality cricket, it will be the first major event after a long, long time."
Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the PCB, said the tournament provides the chance for Pakistan to show its passion for cricket. "This tournament will also play a vital role in contributing to Pakistan's development programme which is already finding its feet."
The Champions Trophy is slated to begin on September 11and features the top eight teams in the ICC one-day rankings.
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