Bangladesh PM thanks ICC for World Cup

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday thanked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for giving the country a chance to host the mega event.

She officially opened the ICC Cricket World Cup at a ceremony that included performances by some of the sub-continent?s and the world?s brightest star performers, including Chayanot, Sonu Nigam, Iraj Weeraratne, Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin, Momtaz, Bryan Adams and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

?It is my great pleasure to be present at this colourful opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka. We feel greatly privileged to co-host the cricket extravaganza in our beautiful country. I welcome the ICC officials, guests and spectators in this majestic ceremony,” she said.

?I would like to extend my thanks to the ICC for selecting Bangladesh to host the opening ceremony and eight matches in Bangladesh. My thanks go to the organisers and patrons for their immense labour to hold the ICC Cricket World Cup successfully. I congratulate my cricket-loving countrymen for their great enthusiasm and cooperation to make this event a grand success.

?Good luck to the players and I hope that fraternity among the nations will further be strengthened through this World Cup.?