Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi took a potshot at Indian propaganda on his country's lack of hosting the Champions Trophy, saying people across the border wanted the event to be relocated out of Pakistan.
Naqvi was briefing the media on Pakistan's readiness on hosting the eight-nation Champions Trophy, claiming all is on track and that it will shatter dreams of people across the border.
Some of the people from across the border were ready to criticise if we put one stone in the wrong place or construction was delayed. Some dreams are going to be shattered, of those who wanted the tournament to be shifted out of Pakistan.
The local media continued to raise questions on the upgradation of the three venues - Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi - with local newspaper Dawn also hinting the Karachi stadium was facing a race against time. But Naqvi claimed the venues are ready and final touches are given.
Thanks to all those who did positive criticism and to those also who were negative in their reports, but I can assure you that all three venues are ready and final touches are given to the stadiums. The Lahore stadium will be inaugurated by prime minister Shahbaz Sharif and the Karachi stadium will be inaugurated by President Asif Zardari on February 11.
We are hosting a tri-series from February 8. The opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy will be held in Lahore on February 16," said Naqvi defending the no-show of captains and no opening ceremony. It was tough to gather all the eight teams at one time. Some teams were coming two days before the tournament started and some at the last moment. ICC had to coordinate so once we knew that its tough to gather all the teams we have gone to the second formula.
Pakistan will host the opening ceremony in Lahore on February 16, for which ICC chairman Jay Shah of India is also invited.
We have invited all the officials and the ICC for the opening ceremony including ICC chairman Jay Shah of India. We have yet to receive confirmation from him as some of them will come for the opening ceremony while some want to come for the semi final and final. We have completed the first phase of getting the venues ready and now the second task is to hold the event in a befitting manner. We will welcome all the teams and put excellent security arrangements.
The Champions trophy runs from February 19 to March 9 with the fate of the final only to be decided after the first semi-final. It will be held in Dubai if India qualifies for it and in Lahore in the other case.
