India Gets 29 Matches, Including Final: WC 2011

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 1:11 pm

India Gets 29 Matches, Including Final: WC 2011 Mumbai: Soon after stripping Pakistan of the hosting rights of the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the game’s governing body, 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 hosted by Pakistan. However, recent bomb blasts and terror attacks raised security concerns in the cricketing fraternity and ICC had taken a decision to deprive them of the credit.

ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat specified that this decision was taken in the wake of the March 2009 terror attack on Sri Lankan cricket players. They finally decided that India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be the co-hosts of the jumbo championship. The ICC also shifted 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 19th February 2011. He added that in all, 49 matches would be played at 13 venues in three countries.

The inaugural ceremony too is scheduled in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 18th February.

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