ICC announces World Cup 2011 groups
08 October, 2009
DUBAI: International Cricket Council (ICC) Wednesday announced the groups for the 2011 World Cup to be held in the sub-continent, Our Sources reported. Pakistan have been bracketed with defending champions Australia in Group A that also includes New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada and Kenya. India, one of the co-hosts of the quadrennial spectacle head Pool B that has South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland and Netherlands. The 14 competing teams have been divided into two groups of seven. The groups for the tournament that will be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC) Executive Board on the final day of its two-day moot in Johannesburg on Wednesday. With Pakistan and India in different groups, the event`s organisers have been spared of what could have been a major headache. Pakistan were one of the original co-hosts for the tournament but the ICC decided to relocate their share of 14 World Cup games because of security concerns. Fears were raised that the tournament could face a major problem if Pakistan are unable to travel to India for their World Cup games because of strained relations between the two neighbours. Earlier in the summer, Pakistan`s cricket chief Ijaz Butt declared that there will be no World Cup if Pakistan are unable to take part in it. But with Pakistan and India in separate groups, if there are any logistical problems, Pakistan`s games can be held in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Group A - Australia, Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Canada, Kenya. Group B - India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands. End.
|
