The PCB have launched a legal challenge against the ICC's decision to strip them of its hosting rights to 2011 WC matches.

PCB chairman Ejaz Butt told a press conference in Lahore today that a legal notice has been sent to the ICC, with the matter now likely to end up with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"The ICC didn't consult us before taking this decision. We have sent them a legal notice," Butt said.

"We don't think the ICC decision is sound on legal grounds. If they say the security situation in Pakistan prompted this decision then the security situation in India and Sri Lanka is also not good."

The ICC decided at their last board meeting in Dubai to remove Pakistan as a co-host of the tournament due to security concerns, with the games redistributed between India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

International cricket has not been played in Pakistan since the terrorist attacks on the Sri Lanka team during their tour in March, a tour that was the first visit of any international team in almost 18 months because of security issues.