South Africa to withdraw from Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Graeme Smith's side will not travel to Pakistan next month
Friday, 22, Aug 2008 10:37
Cricket South Africa has announced it will not send a team to the ICC Champions Trophy next month if the tournament goes ahead in Pakistan as planned.
At a meeting of the CSA board and a task team from the International Cricket Council in Johannesburg today, the South African authorities declared they have reservations over security at the event.
Pakistan has recently experienced significant unrest in areas near to grounds scheduled to stage matches in the international event.
And after looking at security reports from a variety of sources, including the South African government, CSA has decided against competing in the Champions Trophy.
"After extensive discussions and frank exchange of views, the board resolved not to send our team at this time to Pakistan to participate in the ICC Champions Trophy," explained CSA president Norman Arendse.
"We respect the right of the Pakistan Cricket Board to stage the tournament and we would urge the ICC to reschedule the tournament as soon as possible."
South African Cricketers' Association chief executive Tony Irish added: "This was a difficult decision but it was the right one. There is nothing more important than the safety of our national team.
"We appreciate all the efforts of the ICC task team, the Pakistan Cricket Board, the Pakistan authorities and the security consultants.
The players are naturally disappointed for their fans and the people of Pakistan that they will not have a chance to see them in action in that country in September."
The issue will be revisited at this Sunday's ICC executive meeting on Sunday, however today's news has led to speculation that several other national cricket boards may be tempted to follow South Africa's lead and withdraw from the tournament.