No World Cup in Pakistan

Pakistan was stripped of its 2011 World Cup matches by the International Cricket Council on Friday as growing security concerns cast the Asian giants firmly into the sporting wilderness.
The decision came at an ICC executive board meeting here with the international body saying it had acted after noting the "uncertain political situation" in Pakistan.
"It is a regrettable decision (but) our number one priority is to create certainty and deliver a safe, secure and successful event," ICC president David Morgan said in a statement.
"However, our number one priority was and is to deliver a safe, secure and successful event and the uncertainty created by events within Pakistan created a huge question mark over our ability to do just that," said the ICC chief.
Morgan also added that the country could be compensated for the loss of its World Cup matches.
"As far as compensation is concerned, it is not a matter to be discussed now. But it can be considered as Pakistan spent money and has lost World Cup revenues."
Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, expressed his regret at the decision to French news agency AFP.
"It's a disappointing decision but it can't be helped. Nobody wants to play in Pakistan following the attacks in Lahore," said Butt, referring to the March 3 attack on the Sri Lankan squad in the city which killed eight Pakistanis and wounded seven Sri Lankan players and their assistant coach.
The tournament was to be held jointly by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well as Pakistan, which was to have hosted 16 matches.
Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad expressed his dissatisfaction with cricket's governing body.
"Pakistan cricket is going through bad times and unfortunately the support and understanding we expect from the ICC and other countries is not forthcoming," said Miandad.
"There was still time left for the tournament and the board was willing to do everything to keep the World Cup matches and host them safely," added the country's former coach.
Ramiz Raja, another former captain, predicted an outcry in his country following ICC's decision.
"The World Cup is a global event and I don't think the Pakistani people will like this ICC decision. How do you expect the sport to survive in Pakistan when the ICC is isolating Pakistan as a cricketing nation?" asked Raja
"This decision will hurt Pakistan cricket no doubt about that. It is a big setback for us," said the former Pakistan opener.
Meanwhile, CEO of the 2011 World Cup organising committee Saleem Altaf was also saddened by the big decision.
"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."
Pakistan's status as a host of international matches has been uncertain for some time -- the Champions Trophy was shifted out last year and, in January; India became the latest country to cancel a tour when they pulled out of a bilateral series.
However, the Lahore attack seemed to have sealed their fate on hosting the World Cup.
The attack itself also came up for discussion at the meeting, with match referee Chris Broad, who was on duty for the Test, and Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene (via telephone) giving their version of what happened.
It was decided that Lord Condon, chairman of the ICC's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, would lead a task team - including ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat and directors Jack Clarke and Shashank Manohar - would conduct a review of security arrangements for all international cricket.
The review, Lorgat said, would include an assessment of whether current security protocols employed by ICC Members were adequate and, if not, how they could be improved. It would also, if necessary, approach other sports to see if there was scope for information-sharing in the way security is conducted across major events around the world.