Pakistan minister blames PCB for losing World Cup rights

Karachi, July 1: Pakistan's Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jilani blamed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for losing the 2011 World Cup hosting rights.

After a meeting with Pakistan Sports Board in Islamabad, Jilani told reporters that "those steering Pakistan cricket were responsible for failure to bring the World Cup 2011 matches back to the country."

"It is the responsibility of those now sitting in the driving seat of Pakistan cricket to bring back World Cup matches to our country", he said.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently rejected efforts and lobbying by PCB officials to restore the 14 World Cup matches originally allotted to Pakistan. The World Cup was originally to be hosted jointly by Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

But the ICC's Cricket Committee decided to strip Pakistan of its hosting rights due to security problems in the strife-torn country. The PCB is currently fighting a legal battle with the ICC to get back its hosting rights.