Karachi: The International Cricket Council has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board that 2008 Champions Trophy would be held in Pakistan as scheduled from September 10, PCB Chairman Nasim Ashraf said today.

Ashraf, who returned after a meeting with ICC officials including acting Chief Executive Dave Richardson in Dubai, said the tournament would be held under the cover of a security plan which would be finalised by the hosts and the ICC.

"We also had some reservations over some issues which have now been cleared. We have been assured the tournament would not be moved from Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan is due to host the star studded event for the first time but as per the ICC regulations, an ICC security delegation will pay a visit to the host country in June to give the final clearance over security conditions and arrangements for the event.

If the ICC delegation gives a negative report on the security situation in Pakistan the tournament can be shifted to standby country, Sri Lanka.

But after June once it is decided Pakistan would host the tournament even if conditions get bad, the tournament can only be cancelled or postponed but not shifted due to logistical issues.

Ashraf said the ICC security delegation was due to visit from late May and would be given a detailed briefing on the arrangements and security plans for the Champions Trophy.

Source : PTI