The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : ‘A great success on all counts'

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‘A great success on all counts'

G. Viswanath

MUMBAI: ICC President Sharad Pawar may have been nervous when the World Cup began in Bangladesh on February 19 but on the eve of the final between India and Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium, he was understandably happy.

He described the event as “incident free'' and applauded the efficient work done by the respective cricket boards and governments of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. “It's been held in a dignified manner. I am also happy that the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan watched the match at Mohali and the President of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh also watched a few games. It's for the respective governments of India and Pakistan to take a decision on when the two will resume bilateral cricketing ties.''

Pawar was delighted at the creation of world class facilities at all the 13 venues.

“The Wankhede has a limited capacity — it can seat 32,000 people — but then, Lord's has a capacity of around 18,000 only. Tickets have been sold in a transparent manner.

The big prize

Pawar said the winning team would receive $3 million and the runner-up $1.5 million. “I hope Mumbai gets to see some good cricket and I am sure that the spectators will applaud both teams.''

“It's been an excellent World Cup and I am sure it would end in the same way on Saturday,'' Pawar said.

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