Former ICC president Ehsan Mani has backed the PCB's attempts to have their co-hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup reinstated.

The PCB have subsequently questioned the legality of that decision and on Friday issued the ICC with a Legal Notice requesting that the executive board's decision be rescinded on the grounds it was not authorised to rule on the matter.

PCB has filed a case against ICC's decision

The PCB have also sent a letter to Hon Michael Beloff QC, the president of ICC Disputes Resolution Committee, requesting the matter be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In a further twist on Wednesday the PCB filed a case in a Lahore court against the ICC's decision to move the headquarters of the World Cup from Lahore to Mumbai, with the ICC to respond to that suit by May 18.

Mani, who was ICC president from 2003-06, believes the PCB have grounds for their appeal, but he has also warned them that taking the matter through the courts may not be the best approach.

"I am sure this move by the PCB will put pressure on the ICC board members," he told Mid Day.

"But at the same time I would also advise the PCB to keep back door channels open for talks with the ICC.

"The PCB officials feel slighted because according to them the shifting of the World Cup matches was not even on the agenda of the ICC meeting when this decision was taken.

"I don't think they were expecting the ICC to take such a major decision and were caught unaware. But they should have been prepared to contest this move through intense lobbying as well."

PCB to revive WC shifting issue 

The executive board's decision came in the wake of the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March, when seven players were injured in the gunfire.

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and ICC match official Chris Broad, who were both caught up in the attack, attended last month's meeting to relay their horrific experience to the executive board.

The PCB were, however, unhappy with the way the meeting was run - describing it as "slip shod" - after claiming their own CD interview with the Sri Lanka team bus driver was not presented. They also believe they have been singled out on security grounds claiming the other three nations have safety issues of their own.

Such a move is likely only to alienate them from their sub-continental neighbours, and therefore make their reinstatement as a World Cup co-host more problematic.

Despite that the PCB have pushed on with their appeal through the courts, and while Mani believes face-to-face talks could be more appropriate he admits their financial problems mean they have little option but to try to win back the hosting rights.

"Pakistan must ensure it does not lose hosting rights because financially also it means losing out on some US dollars 11million which is the hosting fees for the matches," he added.