PAKISTAN coach Geoff Lawson fears the country will become a permanent no-go zone for western cricket nations if the Champions Trophy is relocated, and warned Australia, England and New Zealand they could be marginalised if they refuse to play there.

The International Cricket Council will tonight vote on whether to move the biggest one-day tournament of the year, which faces boycotts if it is staged in Pakistan in September. Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand have reservations about safety, while the West Indies board seems to support Pakistan, despite player protests.

For the decision to be overturned, seven of the 10 members need to vote for relocation. It is understood, however, if the resolution to move the Champions Trophy is not passed, the four opposed nations would threaten boycotts in a bid to force the ICC's hand.

Since taking over as coach last year Lawson has consistently maintained it is safe to play cricket in Pakistan, and yesterday the former Australian fast bowler said he could not envisage the security situation, or perceptions of Pakistan in the western media, changing soon. Australia withdrew from a Test and one-day tour of Pakistan earlier this year, and Lawson said a continuing refusal to play there could result in western nations being alienated by the powerful and wealthy Asian bloc.

"For certain countries it may well be [a no-go zone]. Other countries are very happy to play here," he said yesterday.

"Pakistan is a major cricket-playing country. It's the eighth-biggest country in the world and it plays our game, and yet people are going to ignore it? That's an astonishing thing. The big money in the game is in India, and Pakistan is right next door. Maybe the Australias and New Zealands and Englands of the world will be marginalised, because all the other nations will be happy to come. That is one thing those countries have to consider fairly carefully."