Butt blamed India for 2011 WC shifting, reveals document

Karachi, Sep 20 (PTI) Official documents relating to the
dispute between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the
International Cricket Council (ICC)over the shifting of 2011
World Cup from the country have revealed the background drama
that took place during which PCB lost the support of co-hosts
of the quadrennial event.

According to excerpts of official correspondence between
the PCB and ICC, at one point of time Butt had even directly
accused India of influencing Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to not
support Pakistan in the dispute.

The excerpts carried in the daily 'News' on Sunday
confirmed, after the meetings Butt had with ICC President
David Morgan and representatives of the other co-hosts -
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, in London on June 20 the PCB
Chairman had expressed disappointment.

"We were disappointed and dismayed that despite assurance
from Sri Lanka Sports Minister, the Sri Lanka cricket board
President did not support us. We were also disappointed that
Bangladesh Cricket Board President also did not support us.
They were clearly under the influence of India," Butt wrote.

In that particular meeting, Pakistan had tried to
convince the ICC play its role in making India, Sri Lanka and
Lorgat's reaction to Pakistan sending a legal notice to
the ICC says, "..this course of action which has wasteful
implications and I am also disappointed that we did not
receive a sensible approach from the PCB to deal with this
matter in mature fashion before resorting to its legal means.

"After all it is legal action between member and the
governing board and may have far reaching implications and in
my view it is questionable whether this approach is in keeping
with our values." PTI COR