Hosts to discuss Pakistan World Cup matches

Representatives of the four host nations of the World Cup 2011 will meet at Lord's today to discuss what can be done with the 14 matches that were originally scheduled for Pakistan. The recommendations from this meeting will be taken up by the ICC's commercial board that will meet on June 25 as part of the governing body's annual conference.

ICC president David Morgan, vice-president Sharad Pawar and Pakistan board chairman Ijaz Butt met on Friday to discuss the best manner in which a decision could be reached on Pakistan's matches. "I am pleased we have made progress on this matter," Morgan said. "We believe we have come up with that means now, through the meeting of the host countries, and if they are able to produce a recommendation when they meet on Saturday then that can be tabled for consideration by the ICC's commercial board next Thursday."

As per last week's meeting, it was decided that Pakistan would not host matches in the 2011 tournament because of the security situation in the country but the PCB will be recognised as hosts and retain fees from its original allocation of 14 matches. Morgan had said the ICC would consider outsourcing Pakistan's matches to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, though co-hosts India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were keen to have the matches remain in the subcontinent.