The PCB says it was open to dialogue with the ICC and other co-hosts to convince them that legal course was there last resort.

Having served a notice to the the game's world governing body for withdrawing its 2011 World Cup matches, the Pakistan Cricket Board now is open to dialogue.

"We're keeping all options open"

Butt said he was confident that ICC will reconsider their decision even as he plans to meet Sri Lankan Cricket officials later this week and go to Bangladesh and India thereafter.

"We have no issues having discussions with the ICC and member boards to resolve this issue. We are keeping all our options open," Butt said.

"But one thing is clear we don't accept this decision of the ICC Executive Board as it was not authorised to take such a step," he said.

"I am confident that our legal challenge will bear fruit and the ICC will reconsider their decision to deprive us of our share of World Cup matches. But at the same time I am also trying to maintain contacts with other boards and try to convince them that opting for a legal battle was our last resort," he added.

Butt also rubbished the criticism that PCB had taken too long to file a legal challenge against the ICC decision.

"I don't think so because we had to get everything in order, our lawyers needed time to prepare a strong case and I don't believe in haphazard measures," he said.

Butt abstained from voting in ICC board meeting

Interestingly, the media here has reported that PCB chairman abstained from voting in the ICC board meeting in Dubai on April 17 instead of filing a dissent note to the decision of shifting the World Cup matches.
"Because Butt abstained from voting it meant that the World Cup matches were shifted from Pakistan as a unanimous decision," a report said.

Butt also said PCB had decided against sending any security delegation for an inspection tour to Sri Lanka ahead of Pakistan's Test tour to the island country from June 27.

"We want to make it clear that we have full faith and confidence in the arrangements that would be made by the Sri Lankan board and authorities. Our players are also comfortable with touring Sri Lanka with whom we have always had close ties," Butt said.

The PCB Chairman didn't see possibility of the Pakistani players facing any backlash in Sri Lanka for the attack on the Lankan team in Lahore on March, which left six cricketers and assistant coach wounded.

"That tragic attack was carried out by terrorists who have no love for anyone. In fact more than anything we have been surprised at the sympathy for Pakistan cricket we have seen from Sri Lanka," he added.