Ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will feature in a promotional video for the 2011 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has nominated Shakib, the world’s number one all-rounder, for the promotional video from Bangladesh along with master batsman Sachin Tendulkar from India and spin wizard Muttiah Muralidaran from Sri Lanka.
“Shakib, Sachin and Muttiah has been nominated for the AV (audio-visual) promotional activities,” informed Ali Ahsan Babu, host tournament director, yesterday while talking with reporters about the outcome of central organising committee (COC) meeting held in Bangalore from October 2 to October 7.
The COC has also emphasised the need of on time completion of the venues following bad experience with the poor preparation at the XIX Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
“All venues must be ready before November 30. The ICC is very much concerned after the happenings with the ongoing Commonwealth Games preparation. The final inspection will be held from November 21 to December 10,” said COC convener Mahbubul Anam.
Babu however expressed his satisfaction over the progress of the renovation works at the venues in Bangladesh.
“We are confident that the venues will be ready before November 30. It doesn’t matter if we need some more time for the structural renovation. The ICC will see whether the venue is ready for play,” he said.
He also informed that they are planning to invite at least 500 guests for the opening ceremony which will be take place at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on February 17 next year.
“We are expecting all 14 team’s participation in the opening ceremony,” he added.
He also said that the sale of tickets would not start from October 15 as scheduled before.
He hinted that there is a slim prospect of tickets for public for the opening ceremony.
“The capacity at the Bangabandhu National Stadium is 25000 and I’m afraid almost 90 percent would complementary tickets for dignitaries from different participating nations, local high ups and sponsors.
“However we are yet to settle all the issues with the agency who holds the right,” he said adding that one must deal with Cricket Logistic, the England-based agency, for any kind of ticketing package.