WC 2011: India gets 29 matches, including Final

Mumbai, April 28: Soon after stripping Pakistan of the hosting rights of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the game’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday finalised venues and dates for the mega event of the gentleman’s game.

The 10th edition of the World Cup was initially to be co-hosted by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, recent bomb blasts and terror attacks in Pakistan raised security concerns in the cricketing fraternity and the ICC had taken a decision to shift matches from there.

ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat specified that the decision was taken in the wake of the March 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket players in Lahore. They finally decided that India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be the co-hosts of the jumbo championship. The ICC also decided today to shift the secretariat from Lahore in Pakistan to Mumbai (India).

Addressing a press conference here, Lorgat said that India will host 29 matches in eight venues, Sri Lanka would host 12 matches in three venues and Bangladesh would host eight matches in two venues, including the opener on February 19, 2011. He added that in all, 49 matches would be played at 13 venues in three countries.

The inaugural ceremony too is scheduled to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 18.

India and Sri Lanka have been chosen to host a semi-final each, with India getting the ultimate honour to host the grand finale.