04-17-2009, 09:17 PM
<b>World Cup matches moved out of Pakistan</b>
Cricinfo staff
April 17, 2009
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.
More to follow...
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