New Delhi, Feb. 17: After being stripped of the right to host the postponed Champions Trophy later this year on security grounds, there is more bad news coming for Pakistan.

With the 2011 World Cup, which it is jointly hosting with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, just two years from now, developments in the neighbouring nation are being closely watched by the International Cricket Council. And from what has emerged, the world body isn’t too happy.

Following an emergency meeting of the 2011 World Cup organising committee which included the top cricket honchos from the sub-continent here on Tuesday, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat warned the organisers to be prepared to shift venues from Pakistan to another country, if the situation so demanded.

"We have asked the organisers to keep alternate venues ready, you know if the situation so demanded. Pakistan’s situation is one that is always under consideration. It’s something that we have to give attention to, keeping the World Cup in mind," said Lorgat on Tuesday.

Lorgat said he was personally optimistic about Pakistan "playing an active role" during the World Cup, but added that he was "no crystal ball-gazer".

"You have to understand that the situation in Pakistan is very volatile. It can get better or worse tomorrow. So it is way too early say something definite about it. But yes, we should have a fair idea about atleast one year before the start of the tournament," he said.

The 2011 World Cup is slated to begin February 19, with the opening ceremony and first match in Bangladesh. In all, 15 venues have been shortlisted for the event with four in Pakistan. two in Sri Lanka, one in Bangladesh and the rest in India.

Lorgat said that the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit were monitoring the situation in the trouble-torn nation and recce of the four Pakistan venues would begin in due course. "The ACSU is tracking the situation and there will be independent consultants there who will do the ground work and study the readiness of Pakistan on issues like safety, security and the stadiums. But I can assure you at this stage we are planning a World Cup for all four countries."

The ICC, Lorgat said, was seeking a shorter World Cup this time around, but added that the organisers were running behind schedule.

"We want a shorter and sharper tournament not beyond six weeks. But the whole operational plan is lagging behind. There’s delay in logistics... there is an acknowledgment that we are little late than we would have liked. We have got some work to catch up with."