'White boards' plotting against us: Pak

New Delhi: A quiet campaign in Pakistan cricket circles is trying to affirm that "white boards" have plotted to take September's Champions Trophy away from Pakistan.

The International Cricket Council has already announced that a decision on whether Pakistan is safe enough to play the eight-nation tournament will be taken on Thursday, with a consensus from all cricket boards, but Pakistan fear for the worst with Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand having already conveyed they are unsure of touring the country.

Sources tell IANS that the Pakistan Cricket Board thinks countries outside the sub-continent are pushing the ICC to stage the second biggest One-day tournament in South Africa or England and have already put forth their stance that their players won't be safe in Pakistan.

Even a PCB official confirmed by saying that the board feels "white countries" are bent on forcing the Champions Trophy out of Pakistan on security grounds.

The six-nation Asia Cup, involving Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, was deemed a success despite a bomb blast on the same day as the final in far-away Islamabad. The final took place in Karachi.

The PCB was certain until then that the September 11-28 Champions Trophy won't go to any other nation, but a blast in Karachi a few days later has reaffirmed fears of security.

However, Pakistan are guaranteed support from the Asian bloc, especially financial powerhouse India, who are of the opinion that even if countries are not secure in touring Pakistan, the ICC should postpone the event altogether. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have also pledged their support to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Cricket Board is of the opinion that taking the tournament out of Pakistan will set a bad precedent among cricketing circles especially when the 2011 World Cup is slated to take place in the sub-continent.

Australia pulled out of their tour to Pakistan citing similar reasons earlier this year, while South Africa went back from Sri Lanka after a bomb blast during a tri-series in Sri Lanka in 2006. New Zealand also pulled out of a Pakistan tour following a bomb blast.

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