LAHORE, June 18: The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) acting chief executive Dave Richardson while praising the arrangements made by Pakistan for hosting the Champions Trophy in September, said he was unable to confirm the country as ‘final hosts’ due to security reservations from some member countries.

“Under the circumstances the world over, no venue can be said as final one and the ICC is in the process of monitoring the situation on day-to-day basis,” said Richardson when asked if could confirm Pakistan as final hosts during a press conference held hours before the launching ceremony of the Champions Trophy at a local hotel here on Wednesday.

“The security situation anywhere is not good at the moment. It can change any time,” he said. “At the moment the ICC is quite comfortable with the decision that Pakistan has the ability to hold it and we are proceeding with the arrangements,” he added.

“So far we are satisfied with the efforts Pakistan are making and it has our full backing,” Richardson, also a former South African cricketer, said.

“Security is ICC first priority, not for Pakistan only but for all other venues too. We are in the process and are hoping that Pakistan will hold the tournament,” he stated.

Asked about ICC’s reaction in case any of the member countries refused to participate in the Champions Trophy on security grounds, Richardson said at the moment all the participating countries had signed for the participation and the ICC was making every effort to ensure their safety in Pakistan.

Pakistan had made a successful bid for the Champions Trophy in 2006 as no other ICC member country showed the interest for it. However, as things stand today, some ICC member countries whose soldiers are a part of the allied forces in war against terrorism in this region, are reluctant to visit Pakistan for the fear of targetted attacks on their teams.

The ICC in its next meetings, scheduled to be held in Dubai from June 29 to July 4, is to take a final decision in this connection. The ICC, which had sent six delegations to Pakistan at different times to work with the PCB authorities and to have discussion on different subjects specially the security, will brief all the participating countries in the meetings to reach a conclusion.

To similar questions regarding the security affairs, Richardson said: “There may be some players’ organisations and member countries who might express some security concerns but the security of the players, officials and spectators are always the main concern of the ICC.”

Meanwhile, replying to a question about fast bowler Asif’s future, who is currently detained at the Dubai, Richardson said the ICC had been in contact with the PCB on the issue from day one.

“At the moment I can’t comment on the future of Asif since the case is pending with the Dubai authorities. But as the ICC has been affiliated with World Anti-Doping Association (WADA), the case will be dealt under their guidelines,” he said.

Commenting on former Test wicketkeeper Rashid Latif’s statement regarding ICC’s failure in nailing the big fishes of match-fixing, Richardson said the international body was doing its best and it was also bound to keep secret any information about the influential persons/parties involved in this business. “I know the consequences of match-fixing and as a member of the team which was captained by Hansie Cronje and which faced ban for the same allegations, I have more concern about it,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Richardson said the Champions Trophy was one of the major events of the ICC’s calendar of activities in which top eight countries would play 15 matches in 18 days.

PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghami also spoke on the occasion and said the event was very important for Pakistan and providing high quality cricket to the spectators was huge priority with the PCB. “Though it was being held in the holy month of Ramadan, the cricket loving people of the country would come with great enthusiasm to see the matches,” he said. The event, he added, would help Pakistan and other countries in development plans.

Pakistan vice-captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who attended the press conference in place of Captain Shoaib Malik who is currently in India, said it would be his second appearance in the ICC event.

“I have played in the first event of the World Twenty-20 Championship in South Africa and now it will be a great moment for me to play in the second one before my home crowd and on home ground,” said Misbah.

“I am very much excited and looking forward for the successful holding of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.”

Eight top teams have been divided into two groups. Pakistan alongwith India, Australia and the West Indies are placed in Group ‘A’ while in Group ‘B’ South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England have been placed.

The 15 matches of the trophy will be played in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.