The International Cricket Council (ICC) has assured its members of a tight security plan for this year's World Cup in England after the Indian cricket board sought guarantees from the governing body following a suicide-bomb attack in Kashmir last month. The BCCI had expressed concern about security during the World Cup in a letter to the ICC after last month's attack in the disputed region that killed 40 Indian paramilitary troops. "As you would expect for a global sporting event, the ICC, in partnership with the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) has a robust security plan in place for the men's Cricket World Cup," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said following board meetings in Dubai. "We work closely with the authorities in our host countries to ensure that the safety of players, officials and fans is a priority. "Should those authorities raise the threat level of the event based on intelligence, we will of course uplift our security commitment as appropriate. "We will continue to work with the ECB and our members throughout the build up to and during the tournament to keep everyone abreast of the situation." The attack, the worst in the troubled area, prompted calls within India for the country to sever all sporting ties with Pakistan. The BCCI had urged the cricket community to ostracize Pakistan in its letter to the ICC. India is scheduled to play its World Cup match against Pakistan in Manchester June 16. The governing body was also apprised of concerns from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding the BCCI's reluctance to come under the ambit of India's national anti-doping body. "The Board unanimously acknowledged its desire to remain WADA compliant and committed to working in partnership with the BCCI, WADA and the India NADA to resolve the outstanding issues as a matter of urgency," the ICC statement said. Former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble was reappointed as the head of the ICC Cricket Committee while restrictions imposed on Sri Lanka for alleged government interference in its administration were lifted. Lanka secures $11.5m withheld by ICC Sri Lankan cricket's crisis-ridden governing body announced Sunday it had secured the release of $11.5 million withheld by the International Cricket Council for eight months due to a row over its leadership. The ICC froze the funds due to Sri Lanka after the country's government last year appointed an unelected official to run the sport following a bitter dispute between rival candidates. Sri Lanka Cricket has long been beset by graft allegations and in-fighting, with the ICC recently labeling it the most corrupt cricket administration. Delayed elections were finally held late last month, with Shammi Silva chosen as president. Last month batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya was banned from all cricket for two years after admitting to two breaches of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code. Jayasuriya was charged in October after failing to provide his mobile phones to investigators. He was also accused of obstructing or delaying any investigation into corruption in the game. — Agencies
