ICC verdict on Kotla may come next week

Dhaka:

International Cricket Council (ICC) vice-president Sharad Pawar on Saturday said the governing body could give its verdict on the Ferozshah Kotla pitch fiasco by next week.

Pawar refused to give his view on the issue even after ICC President David Morgan's recent comments that the ICC does not want an important cricketing center like New Delhi being deprived of hosting the 2011 World Cup matches.

"I am not going to give any opinion on this issue. The ICC is yet to finally take a decision (on Ferozshah Kotla) and the process is on. The BCCI is expecting a response from the ICC probably next week or in two weeks," Pawar said after chairing the meeting of the World Cup Organising Committee here.

Kotla is facing the prospect of a ban after dangerous pitch conditions forced the abandonment of an India-Sri Lanka one-dayer last month in New Delhi. If the pitch is found to be "unfit" under ICC regulations, Kotla could be banned for 12 to 24 months, which prevent it from hosting any World Cup matches in 2011. ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said the ICC has received a response from the BCCI on the matter and it will not be prudent on his part to speculate the outcome.

"It is premature to speculate on the matter as there is a process in place. The BCCI has sent their response and the ICC is examining it. Now that will go to two people -- Ranjan Madagulle (ICC Chief Match Referee) and David Richardson (ICC Cricket General Manager) -- before a final decision is taken.

So it is premature to speculate on the matter," Lorgat said. Meanwhile, Pawar said the sub-continent will host a successful World Cup, even from the security point of view.

"It is the biggest cricketing event in the sub-continent and I am sure the way the preparations have been going on, it will be a hugely successful event and security will not be an issue. India and Sri Lanka have the prior experience of hosting the World Cup and it will be a great event," said the former BCCI chief.

BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty and Bangladesh Cricket Board President Mustafa Kamal said the tickets for the World Cup will not be very expensive.

"All the boards will have different ticket price policies and the revenues will also go to the respective boards. But the pricing will be done in such a way that spectators come to the stadium," Shetty said.