Karachi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on staked its claim to host the 2011 World Cup final, saying the formula adopted during 1996 edition should be applied when the Asian subcontinent holds the extravaganza again.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said the venues for the semi-finals and final of 2011 World Cup were yet to decided and the hosts would have to thrash out the issue before the International Cricket Council (ICC) executive board meets in July.

“We’ll soon discuss this matter with the other co-host countries although, in principle, it’s decided the final will be staged in Pakistan and semi-finals in India. The PCB would like the formula of 1996 edition to be applied again,” Shaharyar was quoted as saying in a daily on Wednesday.

[Confirming this, BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said that nothing has been decided regarding venues of the semi-finals and final. “It’s true that we are thinking along the lines of the 1996 formula, but we are yet to reach a decision,” he said.

Asked whether a decision will be made before the ICC meeting in July, Shah maintained, “we have just got the Cup, there’s enough time left for us to discuss it, first among ourselves and then with the host nations.”]

Earlier it was reported that India would host the inaugural ceremony as well as the two semi-finals while the final will be held in Pakistan, most likely at the Gaddafi in Lahore.

In 1996, India hosted two quarter finals and the semi-finals while Pakistan organised two quarter finals and the final in Lahore.

Sri Lanka are set to host nine games of the 2011 World Cup and Bangladesh six with India organising 22 and Pakistan sixteen.