DUBAI // The International Cricket Council have reassured Dubai's cricket bosses that they feature prominently on their radar in terms of staging major tournaments in the future. However, the game's governing body - who are based in the emirate - are sticking to their original plan to stage the postponed Champions Trophy in Pakistan, rather than relocating it here. It was widely reportedly recently that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had agreed to stage all their "home" limited-overs fixtures in the Emirates over the next three years.
Dubai Sports City chiefs dampened that speculation earlier this week by stating they were not in a position to confirm the deal. However, given the fraught security situation in Pakistan, as well as the PCB's strong bond with the Emirates, the UAE would seem the perfect alternative venue for next year's rearranged Champions Trophy. Now the tournament has been abbreviated to 12 days, between Sept 24 and Oct 5, 2009, and will be played in one city - likely to be Lahore - rather than three.
David Morgan, the ICC president, said: "There is a great deal of interest on behalf of the Dubai authorities and we are very encouraged by the progress that is being made in the construction of the oval at Dubai Sports City. "In due time, I'm sure this will be a very important place in terms of staging important cricket events - but there are none that we are currently considering." The 2008 Champions Trophy, which is also known as a mini-World Cup, has been beset by problems ever since it was allocated to Pakistan in 2006.
It was originally due to be staged last month, but was postponed after several participating countries refused to travel due to safety fears. It is doubtful whether the security situation will improve enough in the next 11 months. Another protracted saga over whether it will go ahead in Pakistan seems almost certain after Lorgat admitted, "there are no final dates for the decision". pradley@thenational.ae