ICC president David Morgan is quoted saying that ‘‘It is extremely regrettable that the board has had to take this decision, however, our No. 1 priority was and is to deliver a safe, secure and successful event and the uncertainty created by events within Pakistan created a huge question mark over our ability to do just that.’’

He also added that they are determined that Pakistan should not be isolated. ‘‘It is a very important member of the ICC possessing several of the world’s greatest cricketers.’’ However the ICC has also declared that it is unlikely that Pakistan will stand host to any other International cricket tournaments before 2011.

Morgan said that the reason behind declaring their final decision so soon was to stay clear of any last minute delays and uncertainties. With reference to the ICC Champions Trophy last year Morgan said that ‘‘the event ended up being postponed and we cannot afford a repeat of that uncertainty or any form of postponement for this event’’.

This decision comes as a crippling blow to the PCB and the cricket fans of Pakistan. Pak’s cricket officials and former cricketers all feel that the ICC took an unreasonably harsh and hasty decision. Former test captain Javed Miandad and now director general of the PCB was quoted as saying “It is really shocking because the World Cup is still sometime away. I guess a little patience should have been shown by the ICC members.” Former Captain Rameez Raja too agreed that this decision is a major setback for Pakistan cricket, and that “this decision is not going to go down well with the Pakistani people since the World Cup is a global event”.

However the ICC was compelled to make a decision as all major cricket teams have refused to tour Pakistan, among them being Australia, South Africa and England. 

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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