ICC rejects Pakistan's World Cup challenge

KARACHI (Reuters) - The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Pakistan's legal challenge against its decision to move 2011 World Cup matches out of the country for security reasons.

In a statement on Thursday the sport's governing body said its executive board had not removed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as a joint host but had simply decided to stage the matches outside Pakistan.

"We are naturally disappointed the PCB has chosen to pursue its grievance with the ICC through legal channels but, having received correspondence from its lawyers, we have now responded," said ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat.

"We hope the PCB will reflect on this matter, withdraw its spurious claims and, as a responsible full member, engage with us in an appropriate manner."

LAHORE ATTACK

Pakistan had been scheduled to stage the event with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but the ICC opted to redistribute the matches among the other three nations after gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus on March 3 in Lahore, wounding six players and their assistant coach.

Six policemen and a van driver were killed in the incident.

It is unclear whether the PCB will press ahead with its legal challenge.