Dubai, April 30:

Asia have beaten a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand for the right to host the 2011 cricket World Cup.

The decision to award the event to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was made by the International Cricket Council’s executive committee meeting here on Sunday. The Asian bid won by ten votes to three.

As a result of Sunday’s vote the International Cricekt Council have awarded the 2015 World Cup to runners-up Australia and New Zealand, with England staging the 2019 competition.

Lalit Modi, vice president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said much now needed to be done to get the continent ready to host the cricketing showcase.

“We did a great job, the four countries put together an impressive presentation and we got 10 out of 13 votes. We are looking forward to it. A lot of work has to go in. A lot of infrastructure needs to be put in place. We are mentally geared up for it. We will do the task at hand.”

Former BCCI boss Raj Singh Dungarpur said giving the event to Asia would mean a great deal to millions of cricket fans. “The whole decision process was cordial and that’s how the noble game of cricket should be played on and off the field.” “It will bring joy to millions and millions of Asians,” he remarked.

The Asian bid had been weakened by a late submission, the four countries having been granted an extension to April 21 to present their case to the ICC after failing to meet the first deadline in March.