Pakistan prepared to host Champions Trophy

Ranbir Singh Mahendra: If he doesn't get the tax exemption, India may not be able to host the ICC Champions Trophy © AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that it is prepared to host the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament is supposed to be held by India, but if the Indian government does not provide a tax exemption for it, the ICC may decide to shift it to Pakistan.

According to the Press Trust of India, Abbas Zaidi, the PCB's director of media and public affairs, has said that the PCB has been promised a tax exemption for the event by their prime minister, Shaukat Aziz. Zaidi was quoted as saying: "The prime minister has assured us that if Pakistan has to host the tournament the government would not tax the tournament earnings which go to the ICC."

India was supposed to host the last ICC Champions Trophy as well, but it was shifted to England after the Indian government refused a tax exemption. Zaidi felt that that scenario might well be repeated here.

"We are just waiting and watching," he said. "India has the right to stage the tournament but in case we've to host it, we are prepared and we would be happy to do it for the ICC. But frankly speaking I don't think India would like this tournament to go to Pakistan. It's a prestigious event and the BCCI could succeed in getting tax exemption from their government."

The Indian board is doing all it can to get the required exemption. Ranbir Singh Mahendra, BCCI's president, and Jagmohan Dalmiya, the ex-president, met India's prime minister Manmohan Singh a few days ago to plead for an exemption. Manmohan promised to consider the matter, but no timeline was offered for a decision.

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