Champions Trophy

South Africa pull out of Champions Trophy

South Africa have refused to send their team to take part in the Champions Trophy if it was staged in Pakistan due to security fears. They have requested the International Cricket Council to reschedule the tournament.

The decision came following the board’s meeting with the ICC task team in Johannesburg. CSA (Cricket South Africa) officials met with the ICC task force, which included chief executive Haroon Lorgat, to discuss the security scenario in Pakistan following a spate of recent bombings in the country. The presentation of the task force though failed to convince CSA.

Despite assurances from the ICC task force that security measures would be in place for the eight-nation event, CSA president Norman Arendse said they will not send their team to Pakistan and that they made their stand clear before ICC’s last ditch effort to save the tournament on Sunday.

“After extensive discussions and a frank exchange of views, the board resolved not to send our team to Pakistan to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy,” Arendse said. “We respect the right of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stage the tournament and we would urge the ICC to reschedule the tournament as soon as possible”

Tags: Champions Trophy, Cricket South Africa, icc, India, pakistan, pakistan cricket board, pcb, South Africa