04-17-2009, 08:43 PM
Pakistan has been stripped of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup because of the "uncertain security situation" in the country, the ICC said, according to Reuters.
"It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and...deliver a safe, secure and successful event," ICC president David Morgan said in a statement.
Pakistan were due to co-host the event with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but the deteriorating security situation has posed a serious problem for the PCB. The news came during the first day of the ICC board meeting in Dubai.
Pakistan's status as a host of international matches has been uncertain for some time - India were the latest country to cancel a tour when they pulled out of a bilateral series last January. However, the attack on Sri Lanka's touring cricketers in Lahore on March 3 - in which eight Pakistanis were killed and seven Sri Lankan players injured - seemed to have sealed their fate on hosting the World Cup.
Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed regret. "It's a disappointing decision but it can't be helped. Nobody wants to play in Pakistan following the attacks in Lahore," Butt said.
"It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and...deliver a safe, secure and successful event," ICC president David Morgan said in a statement.
Pakistan were due to co-host the event with India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka but the deteriorating security situation has posed a serious problem for the PCB. The news came during the first day of the ICC board meeting in Dubai.
Pakistan's status as a host of international matches has been uncertain for some time - India were the latest country to cancel a tour when they pulled out of a bilateral series last January. However, the attack on Sri Lanka's touring cricketers in Lahore on March 3 - in which eight Pakistanis were killed and seven Sri Lankan players injured - seemed to have sealed their fate on hosting the World Cup.
Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed regret. "It's a disappointing decision but it can't be helped. Nobody wants to play in Pakistan following the attacks in Lahore," Butt said.