ICC and PCB optimistic after World Cup talks

The ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board are hopeful of an early resolution to the disagreement over the allocation of 14 matches of the 2011 World Cup originally scheduled for Pakistan, after the two parties made good progress during discussions in Dubai. ICC president David Morgan and the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt confirmed that the parties will meet again at a future date, which is yet to be confirmed.

"I am pleased to have had the opportunity to meet with Ijaz this morning and we had a very positive 90-minute meeting," Morgan said. "We are making good progress on the issues of dispute between us.

"On the basis of today's meeting I am confident we can bring this matter to resolution in the near future so that we can all focus on the key objective for the ICC and all its members - the staging of a successful ICC World Cup in the Asian subcontinent in 2011."

Pakistan was stripped of its rights as co-host in the aftermath of the attacks on touring Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March. Following the decision, the World Cup secretariat was moved from Lahore to Mumbai. Pakistan were hopeful of hosting their games in neutral venues - in the UAE - but the ICC rejected that possibility. Pakistan threatened legal action and the PCB had stayed away from a meeting of the World Cup organising committee on July 14 in Mumbai. They also denied claims of boycotting the tournament under instructions from its government.

"I am grateful to David for taking the time to meet with me this morning and I am very encouraged by the discussions we have had," Butt said. "The PCB is keen to settle this matter out of court as soon as possible and I believe we are making good progress towards doing exactly that."