LONDON, 2 December 2003 — Pakistan and India were drawn in the same group alongside Kenya yesterday for the International Cricket Council’s 12-team Champions Trophy to be held in England in September 2004.
Pakistan avoided a match-up with the hosts thanks to their victory over New Zealand yesterday which meant they retained third spot in the official ICC One-Day International (ODI) table. Defeat against New Zealand would have seen Pakistan drop to fourth place.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, the seedings for the competition are based on the official ODI ratings with the cut-off date was set for yesterday.
The new rule means that fifth-placed England will have an opportunity to avenge the recent ODI defeat to Sri Lanka, who are fourth, and will also meet ninth-placed Zimbabwe for the second time in succession in the tournament.
Also facing a rematch will be top seeds Australia, drawn with New Zealand as they were in the 2002 tournament. The third team in their group will be the winners of the forthcoming ICC Six Nations Challenge in the United Arab Emirates in February and March next year. The fourth group will pit second seeds South Africa against West Indies and Bangladesh. Matches in the ICC Champions Trophy 2004 will be played at The Oval, Edgbaston and Hampshire’s Rose Bowl in England from Sept. 10-25.
