Losing 2011 WC evokes anger in Pak cricket circle

Pakistan's cricket officials and former players today reacted with disappointment and anger to the International Cricket Council's decision to shift the 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan because of security concerns.

Pakistan's cricket officials and former players today reacted with disappointment and anger to the International Cricket Council's decision to shift the 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan because of security concerns.

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Saleem Altaf, the chief operating officer of the Board, said he had just heard about the news but had no details.

"I don't know what has transpired at the ICC meeting in Dubai for this decision to be taken. But it is disappointing as we were keen to host the World Cup matches and were working hard on a security plan to convince the ICC and other countries," he said.

Altaf said he would wait to learn about more details from PCB Chairman Ejaz Butt, who was attending the two-day ICC meeting in Dubai, before making any further comments.

Altaf will be going to Dubai for the Pakistan and Australia series, starting April 22.

The shifting of the World Cup matches came just three months after the ICC had also relocated the Champions Trophy from Pakistan on security grounds.

The ICC decision was on the cards after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore on March 3 which was the final nail in the coffin for Pakistan cricket.