Pak govt. may ask PCB to boycott 2011 World Cup

After skipping the logo unveiling ceremony of the 2011 World Cup held in Mumbai recently, speculations are rife that Pakistan could boycott the mega event also.

According to sources, the government is seriously considering to ask the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott the 2011 World Cup in protest against the ICC’s decision to shift the World Cup matches from Pakistan.

Interestingly, the Indian government is being blamed for influencing the ICC’s decision and trying to alienate Pakistan.

“I think the Indian government, with the help of the three boards (BCCI, SLC and BCB), is trying to isolate the PCB and therefore this decision at political level is not ruled out,” The Nation quoted a source privy to the government, as saying.

“On the pretext that of government’s order, the BCCI has not signed the FTP (to play against Pakistan) yet they want to host World Cup matches for Pakistan,” he added.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has ruled out any possibility of a bilateral series with Pakistan in the near future.

BCCI president, Shashank Manohar said the government has not allowed hosting any such series.

“The Indian government is not giving a go ahead about this and therefore we have made no provision in Future Tour Programme (FTP) to play against Pakistan between 2012 to 2020,” said Manohar.

In an another development, the PCB chief Ijaz Butt has been removed from the 2011 World Cup’s Central Organising Committee (COC).

Butt has been replaced by Mahbubul Alam of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).