Khan disappointed with Champions Trophy delay

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

West Indies team manager, Omar Khan, says it is very unfortunate that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to postpone the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

The ICC made the decision Sunday after several cricket boards expressed security concerns about their teams travelling to the volatile region and threatened to pull out if the tournament went ahead.

"At the end of the day, cricket is the players' livelihood and they want to play the game and not be inactive. We did well in Canada where we were building momentum and now to be inactive is not the ideal thing," said Khan, speaking to CMC Sports from Canada, where the West Indies won the Scotiabank Tri-Nation Series.

"The security situation across in Pakistan is not ideal at the moment and we have to understand that the players' safety comes first. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is likely to meet later this week to decide what can be done to keep the players in training."

The ICC board held a conference call in Dubai before announcing the decision to postpone the September 12-28 tournament - the most significant One-Day International tournament after the World Cup - for a year.

There was unanimous agreement for the tournament to be played in October 2009, ICC president David Morgan said in an ICC statement.

Young players praised

Khan, meanwhile, praised the young players on the West Indies team after their performances in the Tri-Nation Series against Canada and Bermuda.

"I thought that the young players really grabbed the opportunity with both hands and did us proud in Canada," Khan said.

"I am very pleased with the way they came in and bought into the team's philosophy. Xavier Marshall was the player of the tournament and he really showed that he has high-class potential."

Marshall struck a whirlwind 157 against Canada in the Windies' second match last Friday, including a world record 12 sixes.

"I was really impressed with the Australian-born Brendan Nash. He is a seasoned player, having played in the Sheffield Shield and in county cricket in England and brought a lot of professionalism to the team," Khan explained.

"Young Leon Johnson and Kemar Roach also did well and we can expect great things from these youngsters in the future."

The West Indies players are expected to return to the Caribbean today.