World Cup talks break down, says PCB

LONDON: Talks over Pakistan's right to host matches in the 2011 cricket World Cup in Asia have broken down, the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday. "The PCB sought the support of its fellow Asian co-hosts for matches to be played under the aegis of the PCB in a safe neutral venue," the PCB said in a statement here. "Despite the fact that these discussions had been helpfully and constructively brokered by the International Cricket Council president David Morgan and vice president Sharad Pawar, no progress was made. "This will mean that organizational issues surrounding the 2011 World Cup remain unresolved and that the legal proceedings the PCB has brought against the ICC in Dubai and in Lahore will continue," the statement added. The PCB's response came after a meeting of officials from the four co-hosts -- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh -- here at Lord's on the sidelines of the World Twenty20 tournament. Pakistan had served legal notices on the ICC after being stripped of hosting rights in the wake of the militant attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore on March 3 and the deteriorating security situation in the volatile nation. The ICC had clarified earlier this week that while Pakistan were removed as a host location, the country remained a co-host and expected a final decision soon. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said it is nearing an agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over plans for the 2011 World Cup. Pakistan were due to co-host the tournament, along with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but the 14 matches scheduled to be played there will be played elsewhere. This decision came following the attack on the Sri Lankan side in November 2008, after which the ICC banned the PCB from hosting any matches until the security situation in the country was more stable. Pakistan lost the right to host the Champions trophy following the incident but will receive revenue from the tournament which will now be held in South Africa. A similar arrangement could be arrived at with regards to the 14 scheduled World Cup fixtures, which could be spread between the three other host nations with revenues then being handed to the PCB. ICC president David Morgan said talks between the governing bodies had gone well and expected a recommendation about where the matches could be hosted to be announced soon. "I am pleased we have made progress on this matter," he commented. "We believe we have come up with that means [on where the matches originally scheduled to take place in Pakistan can be held] now, through the meeting of the host countries, and if they are able to produce a recommendation when they meet on Saturday then that can be tabled for consideration by the ICC's commercial board next Thursday."