ICC powerless to prevent Pakistan boycott, says Lorgat

International cricket chiefs admitted on Friday that they would be powerless to prevent any mass pullout from September's Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Responding to suggestions that players and even teams may skip the event because of security fears, International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: "We cannot force players to attend. All we can do is make them confident about the measures taken in regard to safety and security and on that basis hope they participate."

Holders Australia, who are also world champions, and other key nations could refuse to play in the tournament after the ICC decided Thursday to go ahead with the event in Pakistan.

The Australian and New Zealand players' associations have called on their country's governing bodies not to send teams, while England players will be asked if they want to travel.

The ICC will appoint a commission to look into ensuring security at the September 11-28 showpiece, but it was not enough to ease fears about the threat of Islamic militant attacks.

Lorgat said the objective of setting up a task force was to ensure the interests of all the stakeholders involved.

"That is the reason we are putting together a task team inviting all the main stakeholders including FICA (Federation of International Cricketers' Associations), so the process is inclusive," said Lorgat.

"We won't speculate on teams not taking part or any action if that did occur. There was no indication that would happen during the telephone hook-up of ICC Directors on Thursday."