ICC announces Champions Trophy 2008 schedule

The International Cricket Council ICC) on Saturday announced the schedule and venues for this years ICC Champions Trophy 2008 in Pakistan from September 11 to 28.

Lahore, Mar.23 : The International Cricket Council ICC) on Saturday announced the schedule and venues for this year's ICC Champions Trophy 2008 in Pakistan from September 11 to 28.

According to the Daily Times, hosts Pakistan will face 2004 winners and 2006 runners-up West Indies in the opening match on September 11 in a Group A game at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore while defending champions and top seeds Australia will open their campaign against India on September 13 at the same venue.

Karachi and Rawalpindi are the other venues to be used in this year's event.

As compared to the 2006 tournament when 21 matches were played over 29 days, 15 matches will be played in 17 days this year.The first semi-final will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi on September 24 while Rawalpindi will host the second semi-final on September 25. The Gaddafi Stadium, which hosted the final.

A spokesman for the ICC said that a full independent security assessment of the situation in Pakistan would be conducted in June.

ANI