Lahore: The PCB spokesman Mansoor Sohail altogether dismissed the rumours of shifting the Champions Trophy matches from Rawalpindi. He also urged people to wait for the ICC task team’s visit on August 10.

There were media reports that had claimed on Friday that the slow pace of renovation work at the Rawalpindi Stadium, besides some security concerns by the ICC security personnel have forced the authorities to shift matches from the city, while the matches would be played only at Lahore and Karachi.

Mansoor was quoted as saying by The Post that any proposal to shift the matches from Rawalpindi was not under consideration at the moment and they were committed to hold the matches as per the previous schedule.

“I know that there had been some reservations regarding the Rawalpindi Stadium to host matches due to construction work and the environment of the stadium but the PCB and security agencies believe that they could manage to host the matches at the Stadium successfully,” he told the newspaper.

“It is expected that the stadium will be completed in time and will be the venue to be handed over to the ICC for preparations of pitches and other logistical arrangements,” Mansoor added.

There were suggestions to distribute the 15 matches of the tournament under the revised schedule with Karachi hosting seven matches and Lahore eight including the final.

The spokesperson also maintained that PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi had given a deadline of August 20 for completion of renovation work in the Pindi Stadium and Pakistan Cricket Board has full confidence in the government’s assistance to make the arrangements of the Champions Trophy.

“Efforts are on to assure these countries and their boards that they would be provided top level security and cover for the Champions Trophy if they should tour Pakistan on schedule,” Mansoor confirmed.

He also informed that the ICC task team will meet the interior ministry and other officials to get briefing on the security arrangements. The team members would also be given on ground briefing and presentation regarding the foolproof arrangements.