From correspondents in Sindh, Pakistan, 08:00 PM IST

Haroon Lorgat, the chief executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has given an assurance that all possible steps are being taken to maintain the sanctity of Ramadan during the Champions Trophy.

The eight-nation tournament will be played in Pakistan Sept 12-28 when the people would be observing Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.

'I fast during Ramadan and know that special measures need to be taken for the spectators for matches played during that month,' said Lorgat, a South African who took over from Australia's Malcolm Speed earlier this year.

Lorgat told reporters here at the National Stadium on Tuesday that the ICC would schedule the Champions Trophy matches in such a manner that the spectators could break their fast without any inconvenience.

It is expected that the matches, which would all be day-night affairs, will be played in a way that the innings break will come at around dusk when Muslims break their fast in Ramadan.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)