Pakistan yesterday said it felt let down by Australia and South Africa after their security fears led to the postponement until next year of next month’s Champions Trophy in the troubled South Asian country.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) was on Sunday forced to put off the eight-nation biennial tournament until October next year just two days after South Africa refused to send their team while Australia, New Zealand and England were also considering pull-outs over security worries.
Pakistan, who were due to host the Trophy from Sept. 12 to Sept. 28, however kept the hosting rights.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi said his country felt let down by the non-Asian teams.
“We are definitely disappointed by Australia, because they have not toured us for 10 years,” Naghmi said.
He said he was also surprised by South Africa’s sudden boycott and once major countries pulled out there was no point in holding the event.
Naghmi hoped a full tour by arch-rivals India at the turn of the year would help remove security fears.
Pakistan host India for three Tests and five one-day internationals.
Naghmi hoped Australia, who postponed a tour to Pakistan in March and April this year which then sparked doubts over the Champions Trophy, fulfill their commitment to tour next year.
“Australia have a commitment of playing five one-day internationals in April next year, so we hope by then their fears are removed and they play in our country,” said Naghmi of Australia, who have not toured Pakistan since 1998.
Naghmi said the PCB were trying to fill in the gap created after the Trophy postponement.
The PCB’s efforts to fill the gap left by Australia’s tour postponement fell through as India turned down their offer of a short series because of a hectic schedule, while South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka also declined short tour invites for various reasons.
Pakistan have no Test matches to play this year and their next tour is not before next July.
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