Though the International Cricket Council (ICC) has barred Pakistan from hosting matches in the 2011 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to put on hold its legal action against the world body has opened a window of hope.

Ranjan Madugalle, Chris Broad and Alan Hurst have been appointed match referees for next month's ICC World Twenty20 Championship in England.

The 2011 World Cup, to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, is expected to cost between $40 and 50 million.

The International Cricket Council has denied the IPL's claims that the Champions League T20 tournament is part of the Future Tours Programme.

Next month's ICC World Twenty20 in England will be the most viewed cricket spectacle beamed across 216 countries, including China and Russia. Campbell Jamieson, ICC General Manager (Commercial), told reporters here today that for the first time in the International Cricket Council's history, an event would be telecast in more than 200 countries.

Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi said the Twenty20 Champions League has been provided a slot in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) calendar.

Sports Minister Pir Aftab Shah Jillani on Monday alleged the Indian Cricket Board of influencing the ICC to shift the 2011 World Cup cricket matches from Pakistan and deplored the BCCI's role in the issue.

Pakistan cricket authorities are open to an out of court settlement with the International Cricket Council over the legal challenge that they have made against the shifting of 2011 World Cup matches from the country.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Ejaz Butt has accused the ICC and the BCCI of treating them as beggars and threatened dire consequences if they are not allowed to host 2011 World Cup matches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the legal claims of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding hosting rights of the 2011 World Cup.