Thursday 9th July 2009
Champions trophy advanced by two days
The ICC Champions Trophy tournament has been advanced by two days and will now be played from September 22 to October 5.
The tournament will be played in South Africa this year.
The ICC advanced the dates on the recommendations of some member countries who wanted a proper break for their players between matches.
Pakistan was supposed to host the event
The ICC board has also decided that the tournament would be restricted to two venues, the Wanders in Johannesburg and Centurion in Pretoria which are technically considered twin cities.
"They will not be much travelling for the teams as both venues are not far from each other," a source in the Pakistan board said.
The Champions Trophy was originally scheduled to be held from September 24 to October 5.
"Now the 15 matches in the tournament would be held in 14 days at the two venues," the source said.
The eight-nation tournament has been delayed by a year after it was shifted from Pakistan due to security concerns by the ICC.
Pakistan was supposed to host the event in September and October last year but due to security situation issues the ICC was forced to first delay it and then move it to South Africa.
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