'India is big enough to host World Cup 2011'

ICC Principal Adviser Inderjit Singh Bindra in a statement on Monday said India is capable enough to host the 2011 World Cup alone, despite the recent attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, Pakistan.

His voice came amid security fear in the subcontinent owing to terror attacks in various places. The March 3 terror attack on Lankan cricketers which killed seven police personnel and hurt at least eight members of the cricket team has generated concern among cricket boards across the world.

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"We won't jump to that conclusion, but if the situation is bad, India is big enough to stage the competition," he said and added that he is very well certain that the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament will go ahead as planned despite the reservations of some players.

"The IPL has 59 matches spread over eight franchises. The next World Cup has 49 matches," The Telegraph quoted Bindra, as saying.

Bindra, however, believes that Pakistan should be given a chance to get their act together and should not start playing at neutral venues as according to him, it would be like a booby-trap and ultimately Pakistan would cease to be a Test-playing country. “How do youngsters watch and learn the game if Pakistan do not play at home?" he further asked.

"Give Pakistan a chance to get their act together - and they must ensure presidential-style security. But, ultimately, this is something that cannot be tackled by cricket administrators but by global powers," Bindra added.

As one of the immediate consequences of the terror attack, Bangladesh has already postponed Pak tour, earlier scheduled to be played later this month. Several foreign players have also openly expressed their reluctance to tour the country. Furthermore, the political ambiguity and security in countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka put a question mark to the sporting events in the subcontinent.

Agency Inputs