Pakistan minister happy with ICC's commitment

After a meeting with the ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, Pakistan's federal minister for sport Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani has said that he is confident the ICC is committed to ensuring international cricket flourishes in Pakistan again.

Jilani flew to Dubai, the headquarters of the ICC, after it announced that it would move the 2011 World Cup out of Pakistan because of the "uncertain security situation" in the country. "Cricket cannot be revived in Pakistan without it so I am very happy that Mr Lorgat is determined to make sure the game survives and thrives in our country," he said after a "fruitful and amicable" meeting.

The ICC's move had been criticised by several former Pakistan players and officials of the PCB. Lorgat defended the decision and said it had not been done 'lightly or hastily'. "We want teams to return to play cricket in Pakistan as soon as possible and we are willing to assist the PCB to prepare for that time," he said. "Unfortunately, the security situation is not something we control and nor is it something that is the fault of the PCB."

The ICC had also said that Pakistan was unlikely to resume hosting any international cricket at all until 2011.