As uncertainty looms large on Pakistan's chances of hosting the Champions Trophy in September, Board chairman Nasim Ashraf on Monday expressed confidence that the mega event will not be relocated from the country.

"We are going to have an ICC meeting on Thursday on teleconference to take a final decision. But, we are confident that the ICC will take the right decision about the tournament, as it is very important for Pakistan cricket," Ashraf said.

"We are in touch with all the countries and we are trying to assure them that all possible security precautions are being put into place for the Champions Trophy and it is safe to play in Pakistan," he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's former Test cricketers backed PCB and said the tournament should be held in Pakistan. Former Test opener and head coach at the National Cricket Academy, Mudassar Nazar said the concerns of playing in Pakistan are unfounded.

"I think the concerns of playing in Pakistan are unfounded. While individuals may have reservations and that is understandable but overall the situation is such the tournament can be held in Pakistan," he said.

He said instead of thinking about relocating the tournament from Pakistan if a stalemate continues in the ICC the tournament should be postponed till conditions improve.

Former Test batsman Ejaz Ahmed expressed apprehension that if the tournament was relocated it would affect the future of Pakistan cricket.

"More importantly if the tournament is relocated it would badly affect the future of Pakistan cricket with every team using this precedent to not play in Pakistan," he said.

Former coach and selector Haroon Rasheed also felt the touring teams shouldn't have any apprehensions about playing in Pakistan. "They were a lot of positives from the recent Asia Cup and one must not forget that terrorism is a worldwide problem and not restricted only to Pakistan," he said.

Indian support

Pakistan Cricket Board is counting on support from India to prevent the ICC from shifting the Champions Trophy to some other venue in view of growing security concerns.

The ICC Board will decide this week whether to allow the event go ahead as per schedule in Pakistan in September or shift it to some other venue.

Sources said PCB was confident of hosting the mega event because India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are supporting the Board with the West Indies also willing to play.

"Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa are the four countries, which have taken a strong stand on having the tournament in Pakistan in September due to the security situation here," a source told PTI.

He said the Indian representative at yesterday's meeting had made it clear that if the PCB and the government promise foolproof security for the teams and officials then the ICC should not move the event out of Pakistan.

The reservations of the four countries had come even after the security consultants of the ICC have given a satisfactory report about the security arrangements during the Asia Cup held recently in Lahore and Karachi.

"India is the strongest and most influential cricket body right now and if they keep on supporting Pakistan then there is every chance of other ICC members agreeing to play in the tournament," the source said.

"The main issue also facing the ICC is that even if all countries agree to play in Pakistan they can't force their players to travel to Pakistan and might have to send under strength sides for the event," the source said.

He said if the matter went down to the wire at the ICC Board meeting, then Pakistan would want a vote of hands for the final decision.

"Pakistan would prefer a vote because it has the assured support of four countries and is also counting on the West Indies. It just has to convince either Australia, England, New Zealand or South Africa to back the tournament in Pakistan," he added.