PCB chief vows to improve security for World Cup 2011

Karachi, Feb. 11 (ANI): Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ijaz Butt has vowed to improve security arrangements for the 2011 World Cup in the backdrop of International Cricket Council deciding to move the 2009 Champions Trophy out of Pakistan due to security concerns raised by various teams.

"Pakistan would improve on the existing facilities for the World Cup while the International Cricket Council (ICC) would also make security arrangements," Butt was quoted by The News, as saying.

Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will jointly host the 10th world cup 2011.

The elite eight-nation tournament, ICC champion's Trophy was to be held in September-October this year but the ICC will announce a new venue in April.

ICC champion's Trophy was originally scheduled for last year but was delayed after South Africa pulled out of the event. Later, Australia, England and New Zealand expressed their reluctance for the tournament due fears about players' safety.

Australia, which has not toured Pakistan since 1998, has also forced Pakistan to play five-match one-day and a Twenty20 series on neutral venues in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah from April 24 to May 7 because of security concerns.

A joint meeting of the World Cup host nations would be held in New Delhi on February 17. (ANI)