ABU DHABI: Pakistan have refused to play in a tri-series involving India and Australia in September here, following which Abu Dhabi might lose its host status to North America.
"Pakistan have said they will be arriving late from their England tour and then with the Ramadan it will be difficult for them to play in the proposed tournament," said senior Indian cricket board functionary I S Bindra, who was here in connection with the 2011 World Cup bid.
The former Board of Control for Cricket in India president said India and Australia were looking at the series as a build-up for the Champions Trophy but now they might oblige the West Indies to raise funds after they helped Asia win the bid.
"India and Australia were looking at using the event as preparation for the Champions Trophy in October. However, our experience in April here has indicated that it will be pretty warm in September. The idea is to play in a centre which has temperatures akin to North India where most of the Champions Trophy matches will be played.
"The Indian board also has an obligation to West Indies who helped us in our 2011 bid. They have sought our help to raise funds with three ODIs in North America. At that time in August-September the climate is good there. So that is another factor which the Indian Board will have to consider," Bindra
was quoted as saying in media reports here.
"The ICC has said that we can play in the country where the Champions Trophy is being held if there is a gap of more than seven days. So North India is also an option while Singapore and Malaysia have also requested to stage the event," he said.
