ICC, PCB resolve 2011 World Cup dispute

By Rahul Bajaj
for Cricketain.com

Published: August 28, 2009

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Mumbai: The ICC and the PCB have finally resolved their dispute over the hosting of the 2011 World Cup. The PCB agreed to the clause that it would retain its host’s fees and would also receive additional compensation, after Pakistan was stripped of its right to host the event earlier this year in the aftermath of the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore.

It was also revealed that PCB would be free of its obligations associated with hosting matches during the tournament, including the location of the tournament secretariat which had originally been set for Lahore. The PCB, in return, has agreed to withdraw its legal proceedings against the ICC.

However, Butt told AFP that the PCB was looking to include a clause in the agreement which would allow Pakistan to stage some of the matches depending on the teams’ approval.

“We have also demanded to include a clause in (Thursday’s) agreement that if the security situation improves in Pakistan, some of the World Cup matches be played in Pakistan subject to teams’ acceptance,” he said.

The two parties reached an agreement during a meeting between the ICC president David Morgan and the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt in Dubai.

“This resolution is good for world cricket and provides an improved platform for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 as we now have a degree of certainty surrounding the event that was not there while the dispute was ongoing,” Morgan said in a statement.

“I am glad we were able to come to an amicable agreement and I believe this is a fair resolution for the PCB and the ICC,” Morgan said.

Morgan also promised Pakistan to bring cricket back in that country as and when security improves. “When the position in Pakistan, from a safety and security point of view, becomes satisfactory to the ICC and its specialist security advisors as well as to visiting teams, then international cricket will return to Pakistan.”

PCB chief, Butt, also expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the talks. “The PCB is content with the settlement that has been reached. We are able to see this dispute from the other side. We realise also the logistical and administrative difficulties that would be associated with organising our matches in the other three co-host countries.”

“Our number-one priority is that cricket in Pakistan must not be allowed to suffer unduly and I believe this agreement is the best possible outcome for the game,” he said.

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