WC co-hosts say ‘no’ to matches in Pakistan by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

DS de Silva, Ijaz Butt

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DateLine: 23rd June 2009

 

Sri Lankan Cricket boss Somachandra de Silva said the co-hosts for the 2011 World Cup to be held in the Indian sub-continent do not want Pakistan to host any of the matches.

 

In an interview to the 'Jang' newspaper, De Silva said that at the meeting of the representatives of the World Cup joint host countries that included representation from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, this had been made clear to the Pakistan board Chairman, Ejaz Butt.

 

"We also don't agree to Pakistan's proposal of them hosting their share of matches at neutral venues," he added.

 

De Silva said the host countries felt that only countries who were joint hosts of the World Cup should have the right to organise the matches and not anyone else.

 

"We have offered Pakistan that they would be paid the full hosting rights fees nearly $1.1 million even if they don't host the matches. The countries that host their (Pakistan's) share of matches would forego the hosting fees for these matches," he said.

 

De Silva also revealed the fact that Pakistan had earlier insisted on hosting the World Cup matches at home.

 

“Pakistan then proposed hosting their matches at neutral venues. Both proposals were rejected by the other host nations," he added.

 

De Silva said now the dispute over the World Cup matches would have to be resolved at the annual ICC meeting. The SLC chief though ruled out any possibility of the host countries accepting Pakistan's proposal to shift the World Cup to Australia and New Zealand and have the 2015 tournament in South Asia.

 

"The World Cup will not be shifted out of Asia at any cost," he said.