Ending weeks of uncertainty, the International Cricket Council [ Images ] on Thursday announced that Pakistan remain hosts for next month's Champions Trophy [ Images ] despite security apprehensions.

After the ICC [ Images ] Board members held a teleconference, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf told a news conference that the tournament will be staged in Pakistan as scheduled following a consensus decision by the board.

• Aus players body wary of Pak security threat

The ICC also appointed a special task force to oversee and review the implementation of a comprehensive security plan for the tournament.

Ashraf singled out the Board of Control for Cricket in India [ Images ] for its support despite security apprehensions.

England [ Images ] and Wales Cricket Board chief David Morgan, BCCI president Sharad Pawar [ Images ], ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat [ Images ], broadcasters representatives, Ashraf and ICC principal advisor I S Bindra will be on the special task force.

Pakistan ran the risk of losing the Champions Trophy due to security issues. Leading players of Australia [ Images ], England and New Zealand [ Images ] are still apprehensive about touring the trouble-torn country for the tournament, starting on September 11.

The ICC held a security briefing on Sunday for the participating nations before deciding to hold a teleconference to find a solution.