PCB-ICC row on World Cup hosting rights resolved

Dubai, Aug 27 (PTI) The International Cricket Council and
the Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday amicably resolved the
dispute over staging of the 2011 World Cup matches in the
strife-torn country, clearing the way for the smooth hosting
of the elite event in the sub-continent.

As per the agreement, to be signed soon, the PCB will
retain its host fees and also receive an additional payment as
reasonable compensation for loss of hosting rights that it
would have enjoyed had it hosted the matches on Pakistan soil.

The PCB, on its part, has agreed to withdraw its legal
proceedings against the ICC.

The resolution was reached during a meeting between ICC
President David Morgan and PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt here.

According to the agreement between the PCB and commercial
arm of the world governing body "the PCB would be free of its
liabilities and obligations associated with hosting matches
during the tournament, including the location of the
tournament secretariat which had originally been set for
Lahore."

"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. More PTI AT
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"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.

The ICC Board in April had stripped the host status of
Pakistan, taking away the 14 matches it was originally
allocated because of security situation in that country.

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," he said.

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. PTI AT
SDE


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