PCB deny World Cup move

Eurosport - Tue, 02 Dec 15:20:00 2008

The Pakistan Cricket Board has dismissed reports suggesting the 2011 World Cup could be moved away from the sub-continent following the Mumbai terror attacks.

2008 The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai India on fire - 0

The tournament is due to be co-hosted by Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, but Cricket Australia has reportedly raised concerns over security in the area after almost 200 people, including foreign nationals, were killed by terrorists.

Australia pulled put of a scheduled tour of Pakistan in April this year due to security fears.

Also, the Champions Trophy, due to be held in September in Pakistan, was postponed for 13 months and while the country retains hosting rights, the International Cricket Council are prepared to move the tournament if safety remains an issue.

Reports claimed the ICC were likewise preparing a standby venue for the 2011 World Cup.

However, PCB's chief operating officer Saleem Altaf insisted plans to host the tournament were going ahead as scheduled.

"The ICC has given us a deadline to complete certain tasks," Altaf said. "As far as the joint World Cup Organising Committee is concerned we are on schedule with those tasks.

"We have not received any intimation from the ICC regarding a change of venue and as far as we are concerned there is no change in venue."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India believe it is too early to comment on the World Cup.

"The World Cup is too far away to even think about," BCCI secretary N Srinivisan said. "Who knows what will happen in 2011?"

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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