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England [Images], Australia [Images] and New Zealand [Images] are expected to join South Africa [Images] and withdraw from next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told Reuters on Friday.

Naghmi said he expected the trio to follow the lead taken by South Africa, who withdrew on Friday from the eight-nation tournament scheduled from Sept 12-28 due to safety and security concerns.

"Four countries have now decided against coming to Pakistan. I probably shouldn't bracket the other three (England, Australia and New Zealand) with South Africa as they have yet to announce their decisions but from what we are hearing they will probably do the same," Naghmi told Reuters by telephone.

"We already know they have expressed their apprehensions."