ICC confident sub-continent would host 2011 WC

ICC President David Morgan today expressed confidence that the 2011 World Cup would take place in the Indian sub-continent as per schedule.

Even though Australia and New Zealand have been put on standby, International Cricket Council (ICC) President David Morgan on Friday expressed confidence that the 2011 World Cup would take place in the Indian sub-continent as per schedule.

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India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are joint hosts of the 2011 event but cricket was badly hit in the region, especially in Pakistan, due to the prevailing security situations.

Morgan said though Australia and New Zealand have been named alternative venues, he was confident that the sub-continent would successfully host the event.

"We are confident the sub-continent will be able to stage next World Cup," Morgan said.

"One would have to be absolutely firm 12 months before the start of the event," the ICC chief added.

Due to the reluctance of other teams to tour the country, Pakistan didn't play a single Test match in 2008 and even the Champions Trophy scheduled in the strife-torn country had to be postponed after a few countries refused to tour.

Terror raised its ugly head in India as well and after the attacks in Mumbai it took lot of persuasion from the BCCI before England was convinced to return for a two-match Test series.

The terror strikes, however, prompted cricket administrations to postpone the inaugural edition of the Champions League.