Sub-continental officials to resist shortening of 2011 WC: report

Lahore, May 31 (UNI) Sub-continent's cricket officials would send clear signals to ICC during their Bhurban meeting next month against a possible move by the game's governing body to shorten the 2011 World Cup to be co-hosted by Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Following severe criticism of a long and dour World Cup in the West Indies, ICC CEO Malcolm Speed had said the 2011 edition could be shortened by seven or 10 days to finish it somewhere between five and six weeks instead of the 47-day affair in the Caribbean.

But, a report in The News said, quoting PCB sources, that Asian cricket officials would not agree with Speed as it would mean financial losses for the hosts to the tune of 500,000 dollar per match.

''The ICC may be thinking about reducing the World Cup to five or six weeks but the Asian officials would not agree if any such idea does surface,'' the newspaper quoted the source as saying.

The report said top Asian cricket officials would send a clear message to the ICC about their opposition to the idea of having a shorter World Cup when they meet in Bhurban from June 17-19.

During the meeting a Central Organising Committee of the 2011 World Cup would be constituted besides electing the chairman of the World Cup committee.

BCCI President Sharad Pawar is a strong copntender for the post of chairman of committee. Former Pakistan Test cricketer Saleem Altaf has already been appointed as the Executive Director of the committee.

A decision would also be taken to open a bank account at a neutral venue, most possibly in Dubai and issues like customs duty and income tax would also come up for discussion.

UNI