ICC President and Chief Executive arrive in Dhaka for Opening Ceremony

ICC President Ehsan Mani and ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed arrived in Dhaka this morning for the Opening Ceremony of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup Bangladesh 2004.

The Opening Ceremony will take place in the Bangubandhu National Stadium from 6pm on Tuesday 10 February where the chief guest will be Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

On arriving in Bangladesh, Mr Mani expressed his enthusiasm for the 54-match U/19 tournament.

"It is always exciting to return to a country where cricket is the number one sport," said Mr Mani, who was last in Dhaka in November.

"I know that there is a lot of interest in the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup throughout the country and I look forward to witnessing this with my own eyes.

"I am sure the Opening Ceremony will provide a spectacular start to what promises to be an intriguing event."

Tournament matches will take place at eight venues throughout the country and advance ticket sales have exceeded expectations.

Over the coming days Mr Mani and Mr Speed will take in practice matches and they will both be in Bangladesh until after the group matches begin on 15 February.

All sixteen participating teams will attend the Opening Ceremony before departing to group venues around the country on 11 February.

ICC U/19 CWC Media Contact:

Jon Long
ICC Event Media Manager
In Bangladesh: 01750 17668
International: +44 (0) 7946 545 090
Email: jon.long@icc-cricket.com