Other organisers will host 2011 WC games if Pak can't: SLC

Colombo:

If security situation makes it impossible to stage 2011 World Cup games in Pakistan, other organising countries would host those matches, Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Duleep Mendis said.

ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat recently said the security situation in Pakistan remains a "consideration" for the governing body, which has told the organisers of the event to consider shifting matches to alternate cities or countries.

"World Cup 2011 is a long way off and many changes could come by during that time frame. However, if there is a real need, the other three countries may have to share the rest of the matches," Mendis was quoted as saying by 'Sunday Times'.

India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh are co-hosts of the 2011 extravaganza.

Due to security problems in Pakistan, most of the countries have refused to tour the trouble-torn country. The ongoing series against Sri Lanka is Pakistan's only Test series in 14 months.

Meanwhile, a Lankan Sports Ministry official said that a brand new international cricket stadium would be built in the deep south of the country with funding from the Indian Board.

"The stadium, which would come up at Meegahajandura in the Hambantota District, will be named Hambantota International Cricket Stadium and would host a couple of 2011 World Cup matches", S Liyanagama, secretary to the Ministry of Sports, said.

"We are hoping to start construction work by the end of March. The major portion of the financing for this project will come from India and we have formalised the preliminary work," Liyanagama said.