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Dhaka: Cricket World Cup is set to be ushered in with a grand opening ceremony here on Thursday as the game's showpiece event returns to the sub-continent after 15 years, shrugging off the controversy of Eden Gardens being stripped off a marquee match, involving co-hosts India.
The Bangladeshi capital, which has spruced up itself for the biggest event in their cricketing history, will take centre stage of the cricketing world with a two-hour spectacle of song, dance and laser shows at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Internationally-acclaimed rock star Bryan Adams and Indian singing trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy will be among the performers to set the stage for the tournament, reflecting the increasing role the entertainment aspect has started to be associated with the game.
Two days later, Bangladesh and co-hosts India clash in the inaugural game at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur, on Dhaka's outskirts to herald the beginning of 43 days of action spread across 13 venues in three countries.
The other host country Sri Lanka start off their campaign against lowly Canada in a Group A encounter in Colombo on Sunday.
The sub-continent had its first date with the World Cup when India and Pakistan hosted it in 1987 before Sri Lanka joined them in 1996.
It is befitting that the World Cup will be held in the sub-continent this time when the region establishes itself as the nerve centre of the game, though 1992 champions Pakistan will not be one of the co-hosts and Bangladesh will be in the party in their silver jubilee year of initiation into one-day cricket.
The tenth edition of cricket's quadrennial showpiece, featuring 14 teams and 49 matches, 29 in India, a dozen in Sri Lanka and eight in Bangladesh, was not devoid of controversies.
