London: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to stage its share of 2011 World Cup matches at neutral venues such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The United Arab Emirates has been invited to host the expanded 2010 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, which is to include the top six Associate nations as well as the UAE and USA, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed.

Super Eight pace-setters Canada were handed a five-wicket defeat at the hands of the United Arab Emirates which allowed Ireland the chance to go back to the top of the table in the World Cup Qualifier in South Africa.

Ireland bounced back from their World Cup Qualifier Super Eight defeat at the hands of Afghanistan with a crushing eight-wicket win over the United Arab Emirates. They were far too strong for their Middle Eastern opponents in Johannesburg, bowling UAE out for 133

Day five of the ICC World Cup Qualifier in South Africa has reached the halfway stage, with most of the matches evenly poised, with Afghanistan and Uganda, in particular putting in impressive performances.

The United Arab Emirates eventually prevailed over Bermuda, taking a four-wicket win in their opening World Cup Qualifier match in Potchefstroom. The United Arab Emirates took control bowling the island nation out for 187, going on to reach 190 for four with two overs and five balls to spare.

Pakistan has sent a two-man team to the United Arab Emirates to assess security arrangements for next month's series against Australia amid heightened safety demands, an official said Tuesday.

Ireland, Kenya and Uganda prepared for the ICC World Cup Qualifier in South Africa by beating the United Arab Emirates, Scotland and Denmark respectively in warm-up matches ahead of the tournament beginning on 1st April.

Pakistan has advanced the one-day series against Australia in UAE by a couple of days to April 22 after being requested to do so by Cricket Australia. Pakistan Cricket Board's director of game development Aamir Sohail said Australia had requested that the series start two days earlier then the original date of April 24.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the 12-team qualifying event for the 2011 World Cup will be held from April 1st to 19th at nine venues in South Africa. The ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier will be played out over 54 matches with the final taking place at Centurion Park.