PCB-ICC row resolved

The International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board amicably resolved the dispute over the staging of the 2011 World Cup matches in the strife-torn country on Thursday,clearing the way for the smooth hosting of the elite event in the sub-continent. As per the agreement,the PCB will retain its host fees and also receive an additional payment as reasonable compensation for loss of hosting rights. The PCB,on its part,has agreed to withdraw its legal proceedings against the ICC.

Reliable sources in the board also added that chairman Ejaz Butt had pushed for the inclusion of a special clause in the agreement. Pakistan wants a clause inserted in the settlement document that if the security situation improves in Pakistan,some of the World Cup matches be played in Pakistan subject to teams acceptance, said a source.