Pakistan may boycott 2011 World Cup

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MUMBAI - Rumours of Pakistan boycotting the World Cup 2011 are doing the rounds in sports circles. Sources claim that Pakistan government is seriously considering to ask the PCB to pull out from the 2011 World Cup. According to sources, views from influential political figures have been sought in this regard. Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still in dark about this latest development. It is very likely that the Pakistan government will convene a meeting More... MUMBAI - Rumours of Pakistan boycotting the World Cup 2011 are doing the rounds in sports circles. Sources claim that Pakistan government is seriously considering to ask the PCB to pull out from the 2011 World Cup. According to sources, views from influential political figures have been sought in this regard. Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is still in dark about this latest development. It is very likely that the Pakistan government will convene a meeting with the PCB shortly to discuss the situation. A source close the government, on condition of anonymity, claimed. "I think the Indian government, with the help of the three boards (BCCI, SLC and BCB), is been trying to isolate the PCB and therefore this decision at political level is not ruled out." "On the pretext (government not allowing), the BCCI has not signed the FTP (to play against Pakistan) yet they want to host World Cup matches for Pakistan," he said. The PCB lawyers are silent on this issue as the matter is in the court and it may challenge the decisions taken in this regard.. In the meantime, the BCCI president Shashank Manohar reiterated its stand on not playing bilateral series against Pakistan. "The Indian government is not giving a go ahead about this and therefore we have made no provision in Future Tour Programme (FTP) to play against Pakistan between 2012 to 2020," the 53-year-old Shashank Manohar said. Interestingly, the PCB chief Ijaz Butt has been removed without his knowledge as a convenor from the ICC's Central Organising Committee (COC) for the 2011 World Cup. His place has gone to Mahbubul Alam (BCB).