Pakistan chief denies India 2011 World Cup final claims

LAHORE, Nov 12 (Reuters) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Nasim Ashraf today dismissed India's claims that it would host the showpiece final of the 2011 World Cup.

Ashraf refuted statements by the Indian board that the schedule for the World Cup matches and final had been finalised.

''I don't think the allotment of matches or the venue for the final is done as yet. We are holding a joint meeting in India on Dec. 11 to discuss these issues,'' he told a news conference.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) in April awarded the hosting rights of the 2011 World Cup to Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh after stiff competition from a joint bid by Australia and New Zealand.

The Indian cricket board has announced several times that it would be hosting the final of the 2011 World Cup in New Delhi and 22 other group matches.

Pakistan in the initial schedule has been given 16 games with one semi-final, Sri Lanka nine matches with a semi-final and Bangladesh will organise six games and the opening ceremony.

''The meeting has been called to sort out these things. But we are confident everything will be finalised amicably in consultation with the other boards,'' Ashraf said.

Pakistan and India jointly hosted the 1987 World Cup with the final in Kolkatta. In 1996 they were joined by Sri Lanka in organising the World Cup and the final was held in Lahore.

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