LAHORE, Jan 14: Asia will make a joint bid for the 2011 cricket World Cup with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh agreeing to host the mega event, officials said on Saturday.

“The four Test nations from Asia have reached an understanding and a written bid will be made in the next few days,” Indian cricket chief Sharad Pawar told reporters here.

Pawar, who is in Lahore to witness the ongoing first Test between India and Pakistan, said he had discussed the bid issue with his Pakistani counterpart Shahrayar Khan.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to decide the host country in March and although it is Australia’s turn to hold the event, Asia wants to organise every third World Cup.

Pakistan and India jointly hosted the 1987 World Cup after the first three events in 1975, 1979 and 1983 were held in England.

Sri Lanka joined Pakistan and India as hosts of the 1996 tournament and England once again played hosts in 1999.

The 2003 edition of cricket’s premier tournament was held in southern Africa and the next tournament in 2007 will be organised in the Caribbean.—AFP