Mumbai, Dec. 8 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) is keeping a close watch on the developments in the Indian subcontinent in the run-up to the 2011 World Cup.

According to sources, if the existing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad fail to subside in the wake of last month’s terror attacks, the ICC could have a rethink on whether to allow the tournament to take place in the region.

The toughening of stand by the Government of India towards Pakistan, following the terror attacks in Mumbai, is being viewed with some kind of seriousness in Dubai, the headquarters of the ICC.

Although there has not been a word from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor the ICC on the World Cup, the world body is unlikely to wait too long to take up the issue with the two boards.

The ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) is meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, to discuss this issue, as also others.

Officially, the World Cup is not part of the agenda of the two-day meet — anti-corruption, FTP and Code of Conduct are the stated items on the table — but a top ICC official said that they would discuss the matter with the representatives of India and Pakistan.

“We will discuss with BCCI and PCB representatives,” the ICC official said in an interview from Cape Town.

“The meeting gives us a good opportunity to take stock of the situation. I will be able to tell you more if you ask me after the meeting on Monday.”

Secretary N Srinivasan is representing BCCI. Saleem Altaf is the PCB’s representative at the Cape Town meeting. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Australia may be asked to be prepared to host the tournament at a short notice. (ANI)