Pakistan Cricket Board has revealed it preferred a joint bid for the 2011 World Cup as it would make for a unique event hosted four "equal partners" including India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Ranbir Mahendra, the president of Board of Conrol for Cricket in India, last week said that the BCCI was serious about holding the 2011 World Cup.
He had said after a BCCI Working Committee meeting that there had been no discussions on whether it would be a joint bid with Pakistan or Sri Lanka, saying there was plenty of time to decide those things.
Shaharyar realistically mentioned that only India was the only Asian country that had the infrastructure, facilities and capabilities to single-handedly host the 2011 World Cup.
"India has 27 international standard grounds while we have not more than five and Sri Lanka have almost the same. Bangladesh also have handful of stadia.
"Pakistan is not equipped to single-handedly bid for the competition but over the years we have proven to be tremendous hosts and our organization of international events has been praised world-over.
"We would definitely like to be equal partners of the 2011 World Cup and if we decide in London for a joint bid, that event will become a unique tournament as it will have four partners," Shaharyar Khan said in Karachi on Sunday.
Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka jointly hosted the 1996 World Cup while Pakistan and India joined hands when the first competition was held outside England in 1987.
Shaharyar said the issue was discussed in the Asian Cricket Council meeting Kuala Lumpur last month and would again be taken up in the next meeting in London later this month.
"After the London meeting, it will be decided if it is going to be a joint bid or the countries will have the option of making individual bids," he said.
"But the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is unanimous that since it contributes more to the cricket promotion than any other continent or country in terms of sponsorship, publicity and development, Asia should get more opportunity to host World Cups.
"In addition to this, Asia offers increased financial and playing rewards for the players, organizers and the participants," Shaharyar said after his return from the West Indies where he watched the Barbados Test and also met England Cricket Board (ECB) officials in London on way back to Pakistan.
The ICC's rotation cycle suggests that Australasia should be in line to hold the tournament after the 2007 World Cup in West Indies but the mother body is yet to spell out clear-cut policy for the awarding of the 2011 World Cup.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden, last month, said that early negotiations were under way with Cricket Australia to bid jointly for the 2011 edition.
