LONDON: The International Cricket Council has ruled out shifting Pakistan’s share of the 2011 World Cup matches to a neutral venue, reaffirming that the games taken away from the troubled nation on security grounds will be held in the other three co-host countries.

In a meeting held here on Friday, the ICC refused to give back Pakistan its share of 14 matches, besides ruling out the possibility of involving a fifth country for the event to be staged by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka now.

"The ICC CWC 2011 Central Organising Committee has been asked to meet as soon as possible and recommend to the ICC Board venues within the other three host countries for the 14 matches originally set for Pakistan," the ICC said in a statement.

ICC President David Morgan said the neutral venue option, floated by the Pakistan Cricket Board, was discussed at the meeting but was eventually ruled out.

ICC’s commercial board (IDI) also reiterated that Lahore would no longer be the World Cup administrative headquarters, which has been shifted to Mumbai.

Meanwhile, the PCB accepted the ICC Board’s offer of a task team to help ensure Pakistan retains its position in international cricket. Pakistan has become isolated in international cricket with no country willing to tour the strife-torn nation.