KARACHI, April 17 Pakistan cricket officials and former team captains were shocked on Friday after the country was stripped of hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup because of security concerns.

Pakistan had been scheduled to stage the event with subcontinent neighbours India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it had decided to ditch them as hosts to “deliver a safe, secure and successful event”.

“Obviously, it is very disappointing and upsetting. But our chairman [Ijaz Butt] is attending the ICC meeting and we will be briefed by him to know what really prompted this harsh decision by the ICC,” Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Saleem Altaf said.

Pakistan has become a no-go zone for international sporting events after seven Pakistanis were killed and six Sri Lanka cricket players were injured during an armed attack on their team bus as they travelled to a Test match in Lahore last month.

However, with the World Cup still two years away, Pakistanis felt the ICC could have waited longer before axing them as hosts.

“It is really shocking because the World Cup is still sometime away. I guess a little patience should have been shown by the ICC members,” former Test captain Javed Miandad, who is now Director General of the PCB, said.

Miandad maintained that every part of the globe is vulnerable to terrorist attacks and not only South Asia, stressing the Asian bloc should make a combined front to save cricket in the region.“Nobody knows what is going to happen the next moment anywhere in the world. Did anybody know Hansie Cronje would die that early? The future is uncertain and we should not be afraid of that,” Miandad said.

Cronje, the former South African captain, died at the age of 32 when his plane crashed in 2002.

“I ask all the cricket nations not to abandon cricket — not only in Pakistan but also the complete South Asian region,” Miandad added. “Fans in Pakistan want to see top cricket teams playing here.”

He reminded that he was the first one who had lauded England for going back to India to resume their cricket tour after the Mumbai mayhem last November.

“I was the first one to appreciate England [squad] returning to India to play cricket after the Mumbai attack,” said Miandad who has also served as Pakistan coach on three occasions.

The 124-Test veteran further said cricket is the most important sport in the sub-continent, urging they (the regional countries) must make a combined front to save the sport in the region. “We must come together and make a united front to save cricket. In the past, we were all united and for that reason cricket progressed rapidly here. We are in need of that same unity to save cricket again,” he said.

Speaking on the attack on the Sri Lankan players, the batting maestro underlined that despite the unlucky incident cricket must continue.

“What happened with the Sri Lankans [in Lahore last month] was unfortunate, but we must not stick to that event. Cricket must go on,” he said.

Former Test captain Rameez Raja concurred “Obviously it is a painful time for Pakistan cricket. I was hoping the final call on shifting of matches could be delayed a bit more as there is time for the tournament.

“This decision is not going to go down well with the Pakistani people since the World Cup is a global event and this decision is a big setback for our cricket.”

Rashid Latif, another former captain, said the ICC had acted in haste, especially since the security situation in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was also uncertain.

“I don't know how this decision helps international cricket or Pakistan cricket. There is still nearly two years for the World Cup. Why the hurry to take this decision?” Rashid said.

Moin Khan, another former skipper, added “Pakistan is not the only country facing security issues. It is happening the world over and yet only we are being targeted and deprived of cricket events.”—Agencies