WC 2011 will stay in sub-continent: Morgan: Cricketnext

Mohali: The sudden break in India's cricketing ties with Pakistan is a reason to worry for the ICC. But its President David Morgan told CNN-IBN that the world body is confident that the 2011 World Cup is not in danger.

David Morgan: I understand it is the Indian government that has instructed the BCCI not to send its cricketers to Pakistan for the scheduled series. That, as far as ICC regulations are concerned, is an acceptable non-compliance.

CNN-IBN: A lot of people are also saying that countries like Australia and England are showing double standards while travelling to the sub-continent. They are not willing to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy which was eventually cancelled. But Australia came to India for their series and England, despite the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, came back to complete the series. There are voices that are saying these teams are showing double standards. What is the ICC's view on that?

David Morgan: I don't believe that double standards are involved. If double standards were involved, we would be very annoyed about it and the ICC would be taking action. But there is no evidence of double standards.

The same safety and security advisors assessed Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, and the number of nations: the West Indies, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and England were all advised by their separate advisors that at that point in time it was unsafe for them to attend Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. That's why the Champions Trophy has been deferred until next year.

So I don't believe there are double standards. The same safety and security advisors looked at these two venues for these two Test matches (Chennai and Mohali) and deemed that it would be safe. And therefore, England thought it right to return. It was an extremely brave decision and it is a matter of congratulations for the England and Wales Cricket Board that this Test series is ongoing.

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CNN-IBN: So can we safely say that the security situation in Pakistan is completely different to that of India?

David Morgan: They are two different countries. I'm not a security expert. The feedback that I have is that the security position in the two countries is significantly different.

CNN-IBN: The 2011 World Cup - it's an ICC event and countries that are involved to host the event are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India and Pakistan are not playing cricket with each other at this point in time, and the political scenario is changing by the day. Is the ICC concerned at this moment, because there is little time to go through all the arrangements, and is the ICC planning to have an alternate venue ready if things don't go according to plan?

David Morgan: The ICC always nominates an alternate venue for any one of its events. And the fact that there is one in place should not be seen as a signal that we are about to run away from the sub-continent. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When you talk about India and Pakistan not playing each other currently; in the past there was a significant period of time when India didn't play Pakistan in bilateral events. But they still participated in the same multi-national ICC events. There is nothing to suggest that that wouldn't occur again in the future.

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