Durban - A vibrant ceremony officially opened the 10th ICC Cricket World Cup at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Over 3 000 people participated in the event, which welcomed the 14 nations contesting the Cup on the sub-continent.
The spectacular had performances from Canadian rocker Bryan Adams, India's Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh native Runa Laila.
Team captains made their entrance onto the ground with colourful rickshaws.
During the six-week tournament, 49 matches will be played across Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.
ICC president Sharad Pawar addressed the 21 000 people in attendance, saying that this World Cup would be the finest yet.
"Today is a historic day when the people of Bangladesh join India and Sri Lanka to host the ICC Cricket World Cup, and make this tournament the most memorable yet," Pawar said.
He added: "The ICC Cricket World Cup, our flagship event, provides the stage on which players have the rare opportunity to create legends and to write their own chapter in the history of this great sport. The greatest cricketers in the world will grace this event and I am sure that their ability, whether with bat or ball, will provide excitement and enjoyment for all cricket lovers."
India, coming off a win against New Zealand in their second warm-up match on Wednesday, will take on Bangladesh in the opening match in Mirpu.
The World Cup favourites will be weary of Bangladesh, who in 2007 cut short India's pursuit of the title by sending the packing in round one.
Meanwhile, the Proteas - who are in search of their first ever World Cup win - will play their opening match against the West Indies in Delhi on 24 February.
