2011 ICC Cricket World Cup

Official Logo of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

There is just 5 more days to go before crickets biggest event Tenth ICC Cricket World Cup will start at the subcontinent for the third time after 1987 & 1996, this time there is a new host nation (Bangladesh) along with India & Sri Lanka, where Pakistan loses the hosting rights due to security reasons. The 43 day tournament will take place between 19 February to 2 April and a total no. of 49 games will be played in a round robin cum Knock-out format. Lets look at more details at this Cricket’s most prestigious tournament.
    The inaugural ceremony will be held on 17th February, 2011 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka just two days before the competiiton begins. India will took on Bangladesh in the first match of the cup on the 19th at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, coincidentally India was also started their campaign against Bangladesh in the last edition of this competition  in which they lost the match that helped their causes to a shocking exit from the World Cup. The 14 participating nations will be divided into two groups, of which first four teams from each group will be going to the knock out stage i.e.-quarter final and then on two more hurdles (Semifinal & FInal) they have to cross. here is the list of the teams which will be playing in the tournament :-
1.  India (ACC) (Hosts)
2. Sri Lanka (ACC) (Hosts)
3. Bangladesh (ACC) (Hosts)
4.  Pakistan (ACC)
5. Australia (EAP)
6. South Africa (ACA)
7. England (ECC)
8. New Zealand (EAP)
9. West Indies (ACA)
10. Zimbabwe* (ACA)
11. Kenya* (ACA)
12. Netherlands* (ECC)
13. Ireland* (ECC)
14. Canada* (ACA)
*non test playing nations

The ICC World Cup Trophy

Out of nearly 50 games 29 will be held in India accross 8 venues including one semifinal & the Final match of the tournament, 12 matches will be played in Srilanka throughout three venues which included one semifinal and Bangladesh will host 8 games in two stadiums. The final match will be held at the newly rebuilt Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. For more information & queries visit ICC’s Official website for the 2011 World cup.

Now everything is set up for a memorable event in the sub-continent and news is coming that India had defeated Australia in the first warm-up   match defending a low total, the million dollar question is who will have the last laugh? can MS Dhoni’s men bring back the cup after 28 years? well for that we have to wait till 2nd of April.