Trophy cricket rescheduled

KARACHI - Pakistan's new cricket chief on Thursday expressed his delight over the rescheduling of the Champions Trophy, saying it would open doors for more world-class cricket in the troubled nation.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday rescheduled the biennial eight-nation tournament, which was postponed this year amid security concerns in Pakistan, to next September.

The ICC said the tournament would go ahead between September 24 and October 5, 2009, with the matches being played in just one city, rather than the two mooted for this year.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ijaz Butt said it was welcome news. "Of course, it's a big relief," Butt told AFP from Dubai where he attended the two-day meeting. "Previously there was some opposition on holding this event in Pakistan but I am happy that it was a consensus decision."