ICC Chief Executive Officer Haroon Lorgat addresses the media at the council's new headquarters in Dubai Sports City.
Dubai: International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has dismissed former president Ehsan Mani's criticism of the ICC for denying Pakistan the privilege of hosting 2011 World Cup matches as unfair and baseless.
Speaking at an event to help local media familiarise themselves with the ICC's new headquarters in Dubai, Lorgat returned the criticism by saying Mani made "his remarks without the full knowledge at his disposal". Mani, who had served as ICC chief between 2003 and 2006, last week criticised the ICC's decision to take 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan and award them instead to the three other host nations - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He said the ICC's decision was politically motivated and was meant to isolate Pakistan from the cricketing world.
The terrorist attack on Sri Lanka's team bus on March 3 came as a body-blow to Pakistan's reputation as a venue for international sport. However, Lorgat said the ICC is more than willing to work with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to re-integrate the nation as an international venue.
"It's unfortunate that Mr Mani has chosen to make remarks without the full knowledge at his disposal because it is not true to say that [the decision] was not considered properly," he said.
"There was a long debate and a board meeting and there was certainly a call from my side to make a decision after that meeting. But the fact of the matter is we are not far away from the World Cup; it is the flagship event for the ICC and there is a lot that rests upon the success of the World Cup.
"We have to be mindful of the fact that we serve 104 associations and we've got to deliver a successful World Cup. I think it's an unfair remark. We've already stated openly that we're behind the clock. I'm sure most people around the world know what is involved in putting together a World Cup."
Quashing reports that the PCB considered the UAE as a viable option to host its matches, Lorgat added: "Officially, there's nothing on the table [from them], so we will proceed bearing in mind that time is of the essence."
Speaking at an event to help local media familiarise themselves with the ICC's new headquarters in Dubai, Lorgat returned the criticism by saying Mani made "his remarks without the full knowledge at his disposal". Mani, who had served as ICC chief between 2003 and 2006, last week criticised the ICC's decision to take 2011 World Cup matches away from Pakistan and award them instead to the three other host nations - India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He said the ICC's decision was politically motivated and was meant to isolate Pakistan from the cricketing world.
The terrorist attack on Sri Lanka's team bus on March 3 came as a body-blow to Pakistan's reputation as a venue for international sport. However, Lorgat said the ICC is more than willing to work with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to re-integrate the nation as an international venue.
"It's unfortunate that Mr Mani has chosen to make remarks without the full knowledge at his disposal because it is not true to say that [the decision] was not considered properly," he said.
"There was a long debate and a board meeting and there was certainly a call from my side to make a decision after that meeting. But the fact of the matter is we are not far away from the World Cup; it is the flagship event for the ICC and there is a lot that rests upon the success of the World Cup.
"We have to be mindful of the fact that we serve 104 associations and we've got to deliver a successful World Cup. I think it's an unfair remark. We've already stated openly that we're behind the clock. I'm sure most people around the world know what is involved in putting together a World Cup."
Quashing reports that the PCB considered the UAE as a viable option to host its matches, Lorgat added: "Officially, there's nothing on the table [from them], so we will proceed bearing in mind that time is of the essence."
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