PCB consulting foreign security agencies to prevent World Cup 2011 shift

Lahore, Apr.17 (ANI): Amidst speculation of a possible relocation of the World Cup 2011, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is consulting foreign security agencies to a prevent shift of the mega event.

"An Australian company has given us a presentation. We are also talking to some other companies as well," PCB's Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf said.

Altaf said in the present circumstances, it would be very difficult to persuade the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to shift the tournament which Pakistan is co-hosting with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

"There were security issues with Sri Lanka, Kenya and Zimbabwe also in the 1996 and 2003 World Cups, but these countries did host World Cup matches although some were moved away or cancelled," The Nation quoted Altaf, as saying.

He said the PCB is determined to provide a comprehensive security to the visiting teams, and would resist any moves to relocate the World Cup matches.

"We want the World Cup matches to be held in Pakistan and we have also spoken to the three other host countries, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh about this," Altaf added.

Experts have already warned that the ICC may shift the World Cup from the sub-continent.

Australia and New Zealand are the two alternative candidates for hosting the event in case the ICC decides to move it from South Asia. Both the countries are also pushing to host the 2015 World up. (ANI)