Looking ahead for World Cup 2015

By Hafiz Marikar

CRICKET: Now it is a great time for all Indian cricket lovers. After 28 years of waiting, India has finally brought back the World Cup home. Nothing could have been a more pleasing win for this team. Showing the exit door to the current defenders and world champions Australia in the quarter-finals, heading towards the semis and beating Pakistan and then finally defeating Sri Lanka in the finals.

Replica of World Cup with Indian team - The Indians, who won the World cup for the second time.

The Cup, meanwhile, has been in the forefront of the celebrations by the entire Indian nation with players even posing with it along with President Pratibha Patil at the Raj Bhavan.

With this World Cup coming to its end, the world controlling body of cricket has unveiled the logo for the 2015 competition which will take place in Australia and New Zealand. The logo is designed by the Jumbana Group/Balarinji, a graphic consultancy from Australia, which was commissioned by Future Brand, an international agency. The consultancies were asked to convey the cultures of both countries in a positive and harmonious way and also to express a feeling of celebration and unity in the graphics. The result has been what ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat describes as a dynamic logo which captures the cultural influences in the two host countries.

10 teams

It has been confirmed that the 2015 an 2019 World Cups will be a 10-team affair, and it is also said that teams will be relegated and promoted on the basis of performance in the ODI league. It had been decided in October 2010 to reduce the number of participating teams in the flagship event of the game, which means that small nations, mostly associate members will not get the chance to play at the big stage.

The 2015 tournament is set to be played in Australia and New Zealand. It has been agreed that the 2015 World Cup will comprise the existing 10 full members, however, they have given notice to all full members who will participate in the 2019 World Cup will be determined on the basis of qualification, according to a statement by the controlling body of cricket. It has been also decided that the ICC World Twenty20 will comprise 16 teams. This would allow six associates the opportunity to participate in an ICC global event every two years.

This year's World Cup which was played in Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh has been very successful and memorable. Whatever ICC achieved was due to the full support of the governments of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India. A big hand should go to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa who are ardent followers of the sport. World cricket's big boss Sharad Pawar has said in a statement. The tournament reinforced the attraction of 50-over cricket and showed the enthusiasm and excitement generated by nation vs nation cricket. There is no doubt that this event has been a great advertisement for cricket.

Sri Lankans must be lauded

While Indians are celebrating the winning of the championship, and thereby became the best one-day team. It was nice to see the Sri Lankan spirit, the graciousness and the attitude that was displayed by both teams! Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara's speech at the end was one of the best. His, gracious words and attitude that reaffirms for me what I have always believed of our players as a very civilized, cultured and genteel lot of people.

While I am proud to be a Sri Lankan, and to see my country reaching the finals for the third time, out of which we won under Arjuna Ranatunga, and the 2007 final under Mahela Jayawardena ended as runner-up. This time under the leadership of Kumar Sangakkara, again became the runner-up. Soon after the final, Kumar has stepped down from one-day and T20 cricket as captain, and Vice Captain Mahela Jayawardena too has steped down as vice captain, but will continue to give their best to Sri Lanka at cricket.

Change of heart by Afridi

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan skipper, who won several hearts with his remarks after his team's 29-run loss to India in the semi-final in Mohali on March 30. However, days after thanking the Indian crowd for their hospitality, Afridi has said Indians are not as large-hearted as Pakistanis. If I have to tell the truth, they (Indians) will never have hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis. I don't think they have the large and clean hearts that Allah has given us, Afridi said this during a talk show on Samaa news channel. Former Pakistani skipper Aamir Sohail slammed Afridi for his comments against the Indians. He said Afridi should not have made the remarks just after the goodwill generated in the aftermath of the semi-final clash. I think Afridi should not have made such comments. You got to respect every individual. His statement is immaturish and at the same time untimely, Sohail has said.