Pakistan counts cost of Cup shift

Younus Khan (right) is Pakistan's captain

Pakistan claim they are facing loses of over £7m after being stripped of co-hosting any 2011 World Cup games.

The country was set to hold 14 ties, including one semi-final, after being awarded the tournament in conjunction with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
But the attack on the Sri Lankan team coach by gunmen in Lahore on 3 March has seen Pakistan removed as co-hosts.
Pakistan Board chief Saleem Altaf said: "We will lose out on hosting fees. The ICC pays out $750,000 each match."
The other three countries hosting the tournament are to now share the fixtures that would have been held in Pakistan.
And International Cricket Council president David Morgan said: "It is a regrettable decision but our priority is to deliver a safe, secure, successful event."
Altaf insisted Pakistan have already suffered substantial revenue losses due to the cancellation of tours by Australia and India last year.
The Champions Trophy was also to be held in the country over September and October 2008, but the ICC relocated the eight-nation event to South Africa.

606: DEBATE I am very disappointed that a country that loves the sport like a religion cannot host it anymore TheLegendMellberg

The news came during the first day of the ICC board meeting in Dubai.
And sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board Marketing department believed the combined loss of estimated revenues since last year is around £27m.
The ICC's Morgan suggested compensation would "not be discussed now".
But he added: "It can be considered as Pakistan spent money and has lost World Cup revenues."
Reacting on the decision to strip the nation of any World Cup matches, Ijaz Butt, chairman of the Pakistan Board, said: "It's a disappointing decision but it can't be helped. Nobody wants to play in Pakistan following the attacks in Lahore."
The co-ordinated attack by around 12 gunmen - armed with grenade and rocket launchers - targeted the Sri Lankan team bus also killed eight Pakistanis in Lahore last month.

It can be considered as Pakistan spent money and has lost World Cup revenues David Morgan, ICC, on the issue of compensation

The ICC added that Pakistan - which has not hosted Australia since 1998 - was unlikely to resume hosting any cricket at all until 2011.
However, Pakistan team manager Yawar Saeed felt the ICC had acted too quickly in their decision.
"Two years is a long time," he said. "We could have turned things around for the better as we were organisers of the 1987 World Cup.
"Things always change quickly on the subcontinent."
Remote areas of Pakistan are known to harbour Taleban and al-Qaeda militants.