Uncertainty over WC, ICL may end this week

A solution to the two most contentious issues of the world cricket — Indian Cricket League and the World Cup — is expected to be hammered out by this weekend.

The executive board of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the highest decision making body of world cricket, will meet in Dubai on April 17 and 18 to find a way out for the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and the 2011 World Cup, the two issues that have put both the world cricket body and the national cricket associations in a fix.

The ICC had referred the ICL matter to the Executive Board for a solution after a tripartite meeting among the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ICL and the ICC  in February failed to find a common ground. “We’re hoping for the best. I hope there will be a solution to the issue,” said an ICL official. A solution to the issue has remained elusive because of the tough stance adopted by the BCCI.

Meanwhile, ICC is expected to make a decision on the venue for the 2011 World Cup which has been in a limbo since the attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore last month. The tournament was allotted to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
“I cannot say “decision” but surely there will be discussion about the matter,” said a top official of the ICC. “We’re hoping for a solution sooner than later. At this stage, everyone knows Pakistan is not in a position to host any international cricket,” the ICC official added. According to him, more than the issue of World Cup hosts, the ICC wants to spend a large chunk of time on security concerns that have stemmed out of the Lahore attacks.

“We’re worried about the larger issue of security for international cricketers and cricket, post Lahore,” he said. He would, however, not rule out the ICC looking at an alternative venue for the 2011 tournament. “At this stage that is also a possibility but not a certainty,” he said. What is certain, according to him, is a solution to the ICL issue.

The ICC Board is also expected to make an appointment to its cricket committee. There is a vacancy following the resignation of Michael Holding. One of the contenders is former India captain Ravi Shastri, who was nominated by the BCCI. The ICC sources said there are two more nominations.

The BCCI will be represented by its president Shashank Manohar. However, the participation of Sharad Pawar, the ICC vice-president, is not yet confirmed.