South Africa has said they would not send their team to take part in the Champions Trophy if it was staged in Pakistan. They have requested the International Cricket Council to reschedule the tournament.

Despite assurances from the ICC task force that security measures would be in place for the eight-nation event, CSA president Norman Arendse said they would not send their team to Pakistan.

The decision came following the board’s meeting with the ICC task team in Johannesburg. CSA (Cricket South Africa) officials met with the ICC task force, which included chief executive Haroon Lorgat, to discuss the security scenario in Pakistan following a spate of recent bombings in the country. The presentation of the task force though failed to convince CSA.

“We respect the right of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stage the tournament and we would urge the ICC to reschedule the tournament as soon as possible,” Arendse said.

The PCB officials, however, are still hopeful of hosting the Champions Trophy, scheduled in September. A final decision whether the biennial event will be held in Pakistan or not will be taken at a teleconference of the ICC board of directors on Sunday.

The Indian Cricket Board, however, has backed the traditional rivals to host the Champions Trophy next month even as many cricket boards are apprehensive of sending their players for the tournament at the violence-hit country.

Pakistan is anxiously waiting to learn if it will host the prestigious event as the ICC Board convenes a teleconference on Sunday to decide the issue.