Continuous terror attacks in the sub-continent has cast a shadow over the 2011 Cricket World Cup to be jointly hosted by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with the International Cricket Council contemplating of keeping a stand-by venue for the mega-event. According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, the ICC is expected to discuss the issue in its Executive Council meeting in South Africa next week.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) urged England on Sunday to play next month's Test series in India if player safety concerns are addressed in the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks. England returned home this week after the last two games of their one-day series in India were called off after the attacks in Mumbai which killed almost 200 people.

An all-round performance by Sumit Narwal, who hit an unbeaten half-century and scalped three wickets, helped Delhi beat Orissa by 52 runs and bag five crucial points in their Ranji Trophy Super League match in New Delhi on Sunday. Narwal slammed a gritty unbeaten 66 to help Delhi post 150 in 44.5 overs and later combined with pacer Ishant Sharma to shot out the visitors for 96 in 33.1 overs.

The Indian government is yet to decide whether to allow the national cricket team to tour Pakistan, amid serious doubts following the attacks in Mumbai, a government spokesman said on Sunday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has sought permission to tour amid security concerns over playing in that country.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels it will be tough for Kevin Pietersen and his men to return to India for next month's Test series as playing there would be like being in a "military camp" after the ghastly Mumbai terror attacks. Vaughan said it is hard to say whether the Indians would be prepared to play after the mayhem that left close to 200 dead.