Bangladesh ready to make its presence felt

C Raja Mohan, writing in the Indian Express, says Bangladesh’s zeal in co-hosting the World Cup signals the maturing of a nation and a new reality in which Bangladesh is ready to take off on the global stage.

The team’s can-do spirit underlines a defining moment in the political evolution of our [India] very special eastern neighbour.

For Dhaka, co-hosting the World Cup is about moving away from its traditional image as the “basket case” perennially dependent on international aid to showcasing the new reality of a dynamic economy that offers many attractive opportunities amidst the global recession.

Wright Thompson writing on ESPN.com looks at how the World Cup has taken Bangladesh by storm. The people of Bangladesh take to the boulevards and alleys of their capital, virtually all of them without a ticket to the opening game against India, excited not for a sporting event but for a chance to show off their nation.

There is something naive, even hopeful, about it, a place that isn't jaded by hype, that is moved enough by it to take to the streets.

Muttiah Muralitharan tells Donald McRae in the Guardian that he has no regrets and feels no sadness on forthcoming international retirement. Murali is set to retire from international cricket post the World Cup.

"I've played every type of cricket and every tournament and, up to now, I've lived up to my potential. I haven't let anyone down. So why should I be sad? This is a God-blessed career."