PCB bungled 2011 World Cup issue: Akram

New Delhi:

Pace great Wasim Akram feels the PCB goofed up while convincing the ICC about Pakistan's security situation, leading to the shifting of the 2011 World Cup matches from the country.

Pakistan - along with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - was to host 14 matches of the 2011 World Cup.

However, the deteriorating security scenario and the March 3 terror attack on the Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore put paid to their hopes and the ICC decided to strip them of the hosting rights.

Even though PCB subsequently filed a case in the court to prevent shifting of the World Cup Secretariat out of the country, Akram said the board didn't react when it was required.

"The PCB could not handle the issue properly," Akram told reporters here on Tuesday.

"They should have got into serious discussion with the ICC before the decision (of withdrawing matches from Pakistan) was taken, instead of reacting after it," the former captain said.

"They should have sought some time from ICC to see if the security situation improves and it is improving indeed," Akram added.

PCB officials, including chairman Ejaz Butt, are scheduled to meet the ICC top brass on June 3 in Dubai to discuss the issue.