They filed case against ICC; they took up a campaign in the subcontinent for garnering support for their causes and now they are alleging that India plotted against Pakistan to strip it off the share of its WC matches! But PCB’s allegation did not go down well with ICC. PCB’s allegation against Indian Cricket Board that it used its clout in ICC to remove Pakistan from host-list is baseless, confirmed ICC on Thursday. ICC chief Haroon Lorgat also added that the unpleasant decision could have been avoided had PCB addressed the security issues more sensibly during the ICC Executive Board meeting.

“India had nothing to do with the decision. The decision was taken after consulting all the member nations. There are all together 16 member nations in ICC and India is just one of them,” ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat said before the press on the event of signing new contract with LG, which would remain ICC Global Partner for all ICC events till 2015.

“Had Pakistan done half as they are doing right now before the ICC meeting, the decision could have been avoided. We know many countries won't tour Pakistan. Pakistan is now trying to defend their own position,” he further added.

When asked about the possibility of holding Pakistan’s share of matches in a neutral venue outside Pakistan, Lorgat denied to have received any such proposal from the PCB.

“We have received no such proposal on neutral venue,” he said. He also informed that the other three host countries namely India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are going to experience more security checks from ICC. “It’s a normal part of our process. We will still review the security in the other three host countries,” the ICC chief said.

As if the thrashing from ICC is not enough, PCB earned criticism for its latest string of activities from its own people such as Pakistan’s ex-skipper, fast bowler Wasim Akram. “The PCB could not handle the issue properly,” Akram told cricket news media on Tuesday.

”They should have got into serious discussion with the ICC before the decision (of withdrawing matches from Pakistan) was taken, instead of reacting after it. They should have sought some time from ICC to see if the security situation improves and it is improving indeed,” said one of the all time best pace bowler from Pakistan.

Meanwhile the much awaited meeting of the 2011 WC co hosts that was scheduled for June 3 in Dubai, has been postponed. The meeting is now slotted for June 15 in London. “The feeling was that since on June 3 Pakistan and India are playing at the Oval before the Twenty20 World Cup it would not be appropriate to hold the meeting on the same day,” one PCB official said. He however brushed aside the rumor that BCCI forced the postponement.

Originally the meeting was called to resolve the WC hosting issues after ICC was served with a legal notice by the PCB challenging ICC decision of stripping Pakistan of World Cup matches on security grounds.  Now the PCB officials inform that they would also broach the issue of shifting World Cup Central secretariat from Lahore to Mumbai despite a stay order from the Lahore civil court.

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

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