The International Cricket Council (ICC)  has awarded the Champions Trophy to South Africa.

Sri Lanka offered to host the event but there were concerns about weather conditions in Colombo over the proposed tournament dates.

The tournnament was originally scheduled to take place last year in Pakistan but was postponed and finally taken away from that country because of the volatile security situation there.

The ICC said the Cricket South Africe (CSA) was given the hosting rights to minimise risk and create certainty around the event.

“I think the board has made a sensible decision that will give the event every chance of success. We now have clarity on the subject and we can make firm plans for what is going to be a great spectacle of ODI cricket,” ICC President David Morgan said in a statement.

“Cricket South Africa can provide two world-class venues in what is effectively one location and as we know from the ICC World Twenty20 2007, weather conditions in the area around Johannesburg in September and October are stable and ideal for cricket,” Morgan said.

Courtesy: Sindh Online