Mascot of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup is carried on a rickshaw during the opening ceremony at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Feb 17, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

DHAKA - Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the Cricket World Cup 2011 open on Thursday by pressing the switch-on button at a gala ceremony at Bangabandhu National Stadium in capital Dhaka.

Speaking on the occasion, Hasina expressed her belief that the World Cup 2011 will help cement her country's relations with rest of the world.

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"Bangladesh, the land adorned with natural beauty, feels extremely proud of hosting the mega event of the World Cup," she said at the opening ceremony.

Hasina welcomed the International Cricket Council (ICC) officials, players, guests and spectators at the ceremony. She also thanked the ICC for selecting Bangladesh to host the opening ceremony and eight matches in Bangladesh.

She congratulated the cricket-loving countrymen for their great enthusiasm and cooperation to make this event a grand success.

ICC President and Indian Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said he thanked Bangladesh for its efforts to organize the great event.

Pawar hoped the Cricket World Cup 2011 will be one of the great cups in the history.

About 27,000 spectators from Bangladesh and other countries and rgions are present at the opening ceremony.

Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Feb 17, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

Fourteen countries are participating in the Cricket World Cup, which are Australia, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Netherlands, Zimbabwe, West Indies, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

It is the first time for Bangladesh to host Cricket World Cup since it started in 1975. Over the last nine Cricket World Cups, Australia won four times, West Indies won two, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan one respectively.

Except hosting the opening ceremony, Bangladesh will host eight matches including the first match on February 19 in capital Dhaka.