The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Rawalpindi

The International Cricket Council has cut Rawalpindi as one of the venues for next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan on security grounds.

Rawalpindi was excluded because there had not been a chance to fully verify its security arrangements, leaving Lahore and Karachi to share all 15 matches.

Lahore will host eight matches including the opening match between Pakistan and the West Indies on Sept. 12 and the final, with seven to be held in Karachi.

"Concentration on two venues will provide extra level of comfort for all stakeholders," ICC chief executive Haroon Logart said in a statement Wednesday.

"During the recently completed Asia Cup there were no fixtures at Rawalpindi and that didn't allow us the opportunity to check the security arrangements, so there has been no way for us to formulate an opinion on the venue."

Security concerns had been high on the agenda for this Champions Trophy, with players and boards from Australia, England and New Zealand raising doubts as to whether Pakistan should host the tournament. Sri Lanka was put on standby as an alternative venue before Pakistan was affirmed as host.

Logart headed an ICC delegation that met security officials in the federal capital Islamabad, getting assurances that there will be the requisite security provided.

"What is clear from our visit is that there is a huge desire within Pakistan, as well as significant resources, to turn that aim into a reality," Lorgat said.

Two ICC delegations will visit the concerned countries ahead of the Sept. 12-28 tournament to give assurance on security. Logart will lead the delegation to England, where South Africa's team is currently touring, while ICC general manager David Richardson will travel to Australia and New Zealand.

The biennial tournament is the second-biggest 50-over international tournament behind the World Cup.

Schedule:

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, West Indies

Group B: South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, England

Sept 12: Pakistan v West Indies, Lahore

Sept 13: Australia v India, Karachi

Sept 14: England v Sri Lanka, Lahore; South Africa v New Zealand,

Karachi

Sept 15: Pakistan v Australia, Karachi

Sept 16: South Africa v Sri Lanka, Lahore

Sept 17: England v New Zealand, Lahore

Sept 18: West Indies v India, Karachi

Sept 19: New Zealand v India, Lahore

Sept 20: Pakistan v India, Karachi

Sept 21: Australia v West Indies, Lahore

Sept 22: England v South Africa, Karachi

Sept 24: First semifinal, Karachi

Sept 26: Second semifinal, Lahore

Sept 28: Final, Lahore.