Work expedited but Pindi unlikely to host any matches

LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board has expedited the development and upgradation work at the three main venues of the Champions Trophy in its bid to meet the August deadline.

PCB official Mansoor Suhail said Wednesday that the work at different venues of the Champions Trophy has been accelerated and Rawalpindi's Stadium would remain as one of the three main venues.

However, PCB's stance not withstanding, independent reports say that Rawalpindi is unlikely to host any Champions Trophy matches.

Sources close to the ICC and the PCB, involved directly in thrashing out the security issues, have divulged to The Nation that it is most unlikely that Rawalpindi would host any matches.

Officially, for the time being, the ICC security and management committee meeting with all the PCB directors and other officials decided to stay with the planned venues of Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.