ICC looks to settle row in next month's meeting

Pakistan hosted their recent One-day series against Australia in Dubai Sports City's new cricket stadium.

Dubai: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will propose UAE as their alternate venue to host the 2011 World Cup during a meeting of the World Cup host countries on June 3 in Dubai.

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman. after visits to Sri Lanka and India to gain support for hosting their share of World Cup matches, said: "We are looking at the UAE where we hosted the West Indies and Australia matches or Malaysia to stage the matches. We will, as per the hosts' agreement, submit a satisfactory security plan to the ICC for games in Pakistan. Should that plan not be satisfactory then we will put forward a proposal for a neutral venue."

A Pakistan court has issued a stay order on ICC till June 2 on relocation of the 2011 World Cup secretariat from Lahore to India.

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The statement from Butt comes at a time when efforts are on for an out of court settlement with the ICC to win back their right to host the World Cup matches. It is understood that ICC has summoned a meeting of the World Cup host countries on June 3 in which PCB has also been invited. Butt even went on to name the neutral venues.

"If our security plan is not accepted then we will propose to host our share of matches at neutral venues including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and even Malaysia

Pakistan hosted their recent One-day series against Australia in Dubai Sports City's new cricket stadium and Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium while a One-day series against West Indies was also staged in Abu Dhabi.

The ICC has told PCB that they will not be paid the hosting fee of $10.5m if they cannot provide alternate venues for the World Cup.

The latest development to have a meeting of the World Cup host countries in Dubai has emerged after Butt met Sharad Pawar, who is set to become ICC President, next year.

"We decided some solution has to be worked out and we will have discussion in Dubai on June 3 and all the officials will be there, so I hope a solution will be found," said Butt.

The neutral venues had earned momentum after India too decided to host their popular Indian Premier League in South Africa due to the elections in their country.

"The ICC has acknowledged that our hosting rights cannot be taken. These are contractual commitments that are strong even if we agree that there might be different interpretations there," added Butt, who will also be meeting board officials of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Australia during his visit to watch the IPL matches.

The move to decide on an out of court settlement has emerged after Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive warned Pakistan on the huge financial implications of a legal battle.

"By attempting to pursue the matter through legal channels, it will result in the diversion of funds and resources better served to ensure a safe, secure and successful tournament" said Lorgat.