Boards confirm Holland tri-series tournament

Cricket Australia, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association today confirmed that a one-off tri-series competition involving Australia, India and Pakistan will be played in Holland this August ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The tournament will incorporate three qualifying matches plus a final, all to be played at the VRA venue in suburban Amstelveen, Amsterdam. All matches will be played as day games.

The schedule follows:
? 21 August - India v Pakistan;
? 23 August - Australia v India;
? 25 August - Pakistan v Australia;
? 28 August - Final.

The Videocon Group has secured the event sponsorship rights, while the series will be broadcast via Sony Entertainment Television.

KNCB President Mr René van Ierschot said the tournament will impact enormously on the development of Dutch cricket.

"This is a fabulous opportunity for Dutch cricket supporters to see these teams in action in our own country," Mr van Ierschot said.

"Dutch cricket has steadily progressed over the years and participating in the 1996 and 2003 ICC Cricket World Cups, has widened local interest in cricket. A cricket event of this size provides an excellent opportunity to support the ambitions of Dutch cricket for the coming years."

Cricket Australia Chairman Mr Bob Merriman said:

"This event is a joint venture between the respective Boards and a positive reflection on the strong relationship Cricket Australia currently shares with both India and Pakistan. Of course, this relationship changes significantly when the teams step out onto the field and spectators can expect to see four one-day international matches of the highest quality. Cricket Australia welcomes the opportunity to play in an associate member country and we hope our involvement in this series can impact positively on the development of Dutch cricket. Our players are excited about playing cricket in a new part of the world and look forward to enjoying the Dutch facilities and hospitality."

BCCI President Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya said:

"Cricket would be the ultimate winner as the top three teams of the world would clash in an exciting contest. It would be a new experience for the Indian cricketers to play on Dutch soil and we are confident that this competition would act wonders to the level of interest for the game in Holland."

PCB Chairman Mr Shaharyar M.Khan said:

"The PCB welcomes the opportunity to play the two leading teams in a cricket emerging country like Holland. The tournament will provide the three teams an excellent opportunity to prepare for September"s ICC Champions Trophy. As we will also be visiting Australia later in the year, this tournament will help us assess the strengths of the Australian team and likewise, review our own preparations and game plan. Not only the PCB but the Pakistan players are extremely excited about the prospects of playing in Holland where cricket is played at grassroots level. I am confident that this event will generate more interest amongst the youth and will consequently help in the promotion of the game which is the objective of the International Cricket Council. The PCB will continue its support for the promotion of the game anywhere in the world in any way it can."

Tickets for the series will be on sale from Tuesday 22 June through Dutch agency Top Ticket Line.

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