World Cup not to be affected by Iraq war
Tuesday, March 18 2003 16:09 Hrs (IST)

Durban: Cricket enthusiasts can be rest assured that the World Cup semi-finals and the final will not be affected in case of outbreak of war in Iraq, organisers said on Tuesday.

While the first semi-final between Australia and Sri Lanka went underway on Tuesday, India is scheduled to take on Kenya in the other semi-final on Thursday, the day when the deadline for Iraq President to flee or face war expires.

But the International Cricket Council official in KwaZulu-Natal, Cassim Docrat, who is also the CEO of cricket in the province, said the match between India and Kenya would be held as scheduled.

"It would go ahead as planned even if war breaks out on Thursday morning," Docrat.

Though the remaining World Cup matches will not be affected, Docrat said South Africa's cricket tour to Dubai and Bangladesh next month might have to be "rescheduled to a later date".

Meanwhile, an ICC spokesman was quoted as saying on the World Cup's official website that organisers were confident adequate security measures were in place if war breaks out in Iraq.

All these considerations have been taken into account, he said.

PTI

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