World Cup opening ceremony 2011: As it happened

NDTVSports:  Hi Friends!  Thursday February 17, 2011 4:50

NDTVSports:  A star-studded ceremony to kickstart the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 is about to begin at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital. Thursday February 17, 2011 4:50

NDTVSports:  And we will bring to you a blow-by-blow account of the colourful event. Thursday February 17, 2011 4:51

NDTVSports:  The ceremony begins at 5.30 PM IST Thursday February 17, 2011 4:52

NDTVSports:  The ceremony to mark the opening of the 10th edition of the cricket extravaganza will see Canadian music star Bryan Adams, who is in the sub-continent for a full-fledged tour, crooning his best numbers. Thursday February 17, 2011 5:00

NDTVSports:  And while we wait for the ceremony to begin, let's check out some preparation pics Thursday February 17, 2011 5:02

Thursday February 17, 2011 5:02

Thursday February 17, 2011 5:02

Thursday February 17, 2011 5:03

NDTVSports:  Some of you guys are asking if we'll have live streaming...No, we cannot have it since the rights are with the official broadcasters of the World Cup. Thursday February 17, 2011 5:08

NDTVSports:  However, we will share with you the latest happenings and images here.. Thursday February 17, 2011 5:09

NDTVSports:  The ceremony will see around 3,500 performers putting on a colourful show reflecting Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi culture. Thursday February 17, 2011 5:09

NDTVSports:  Indian music trio of Shakar, Ehsaan and Loy, who have composed the World Cup anthem 'De Ghooma Ke', singing it loud and setting the tempo for the cricket mega-event.  Thursday February 17, 2011 5:12

NDTVSports:  Can 'De Ghooma Ke' beat 'Waka Waka'?  Thursday February 17, 2011 5:15

NDTVSports:  India's one of the most versatile singers Sonu Nigam will also perform along with Bangladesh's vocalist Runa Laila. Thursday February 17, 2011 5:26

NDTVSports:  Earlier this morning, all fourteen captains posed for a group photograph Thursday February 17, 2011 5:42

Thursday February 17, 2011 5:42

NDTVSports:  And this what has pulled them together Thursday February 17, 2011 5:43

Thursday February 17, 2011 5:43

NDTVSports:  The Ceremony is about to begin Thursday February 17, 2011 5:46

NDTVSports:  Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina can seen on the screen along with ICC President Sharad Pawar Thursday February 17, 2011 5:47

NDTVSports:  The Bangabandhu Stadium is jam-packed and the crowd stands for the Bangladesh National Anthem ...'Aamaar Shonar Bangla' Thursday February 17, 2011 5:49

NDTVSports:  The group singing the anthem is called Chhayanat....all in Bangladesh colours Thursday February 17, 2011 5:50

NDTVSports:  Bangladesh welcomes the participants of the World Cup Thursday February 17, 2011 5:53

arun sharma:   all is fine Thursday February 17, 2011 5:54

basit kamali:   its a wonderful event Thursday February 17, 2011 5:54

NDTVSports:  Some popular faces of the Bangla music industry are rocking the stadium and artists with colourful flags are accompanying them Thursday February 17, 2011 5:56

Sumanta Ghosh:   Very attractive event Thursday February 17, 2011 5:56

Tippu:   Nothing Big like Cricket World Cup , So the Grand Opening Ceremony is true to its best Thursday February 17, 2011 5:56

NDTVSports:  Must say the music is peppy as well as melodious Thursday February 17, 2011 5:57

Kanishk:   Awesome display Thursday February 17, 2011 5:57

NDTVSports:  Very impressive must say, but can't wait to have Bryan Adams jazzing it up Thursday February 17, 2011 5:59

NDTVSports:  Here comes Stumpy, the mascot for the World Cup 2011 Thursday February 17, 2011 6:00

munna:   like so much............. Thursday February 17, 2011 6:00

NDTVSports:  And now come defending champions Australia with skipper Ricky Ponting riding on a rickshaw Thursday February 17, 2011 6:01

NDTVSports:  Here is Andrew Strauss, England skipper Thursday February 17, 2011 6:01

NDTVSports:  Now we have Ireland, Kenya, Netherlands Thursday February 17, 2011 6:02

NDTVSports:  Here come New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi Thursday February 17, 2011 6:02

NDTVSports:  Loud cheer for Afridi Thursday February 17, 2011 6:03

NDTVSports:  South African captain Graeme Smith comes in...can he break the Protean jinx this time? Thursday February 17, 2011 6:03

NDTVSports:  Windies skipper Darren Sammy is all smiles Thursday February 17, 2011 6:04

NDTVSports:  Elton Chigumbura, Zimbabwean skipper is in Thursday February 17, 2011 6:04

NDTVSports:  And now the co-hosts Thursday February 17, 2011 6:04

NDTVSports:  AND come India skipper MS Dhoni Thursday February 17, 2011 6:05

NDTVSports:  Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara is in now.... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:05

NDTVSports:  And last but not the least, Bangladesh skipper Shakib-Al Hasan and he gets the loudest cheer from the crowd Thursday February 17, 2011 6:06

NDTVSports:  A great moment for Bangladesh indeed Thursday February 17, 2011 6:06

rezwan:   nice Thursday February 17, 2011 6:06

Sonu:   Here's the best team india Thursday February 17, 2011 6:07

Guest:   Bangladesh will rock this time Thursday February 17, 2011 6:07

NDTVSports:  The captains get down from their sub-continental chariots..errr..rickshaw Thursday February 17, 2011 6:08

NDTVSports:  And here is Sonu Nigam...the Indian rockstar  Thursday February 17, 2011 6:09

NDTVSports:  This is your moment tonight..sings Sonu Thursday February 17, 2011 6:10

NDTVSports:  The lyrics are awesome...apt for the occasion Thursday February 17, 2011 6:12

NDTVSports:  Great sight at the stadium...goosebumps anyone??? Thursday February 17, 2011 6:13

pankaj:   gr8 Thursday February 17, 2011 6:13

NDTVSports:  We have some audio visual with star players talking about HIV..great platform to create global awareness Thursday February 17, 2011 6:15

Dj:   Super! Thursday February 17, 2011 6:15

Sonu:   Gr8 performance by Sonu Thursday February 17, 2011 6:15

NDTVSports:  Bangladesh Cricket Board President Mostafa Kamal addresses the gathering Thursday February 17, 2011 6:16

Dj:   All the best to all team! Thursday February 17, 2011 6:18

NDTVSports:  And now he addresses his compatriots in his mother tongue - Bangla Thursday February 17, 2011 6:20

NDTVSports:  Mr Kamal promises to take the game of cricket to the villages of Bangladesh and popularise the sport in this part of the world... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:22

faridi:   grt to see all them together Thursday February 17, 2011 6:23

NDTVSports:  And now it's Ali Ahad Sarker, Minister of Youth and Sports, addressing the crowd Thursday February 17, 2011 6:23

NDTVSports:  He promises that the tournament will a successful Thursday February 17, 2011 6:25

sarath:   good organigation Thursday February 17, 2011 6:26

NDTVSports:  Here is Bangladesh Finance Minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith Thursday February 17, 2011 6:28

NDTVSports:  He says, "It's a proud moment for all of us". Indeed, it is! Thursday February 17, 2011 6:28

NDTVSports:  And now ICC President Sharad Pawar takes the podium Thursday February 17, 2011 6:30

NDTVSports:  He acknowledges Bangladesh Prime Minister, the Bangladesh crowd and all those helped in organising this event Thursday February 17, 2011 6:34

Sid:   Thanks NDTV team for the live blog! Thursday February 17, 2011 6:34

Sonu:   Here comes the POWER :) Thursday February 17, 2011 6:34

NDTVSports:  And Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaking Thursday February 17, 2011 6:36

NDTVSports:  She welcomes the players, the spectators....and says she is "very proud" to host the event Thursday February 17, 2011 6:38

Ramnik:   Good luck to Dhoni and team Thursday February 17, 2011 6:39

NDTVSports:  Wish there were fewer speeches made by the politicians...where are the former World Cup champions? Thursday February 17, 2011 6:39

NDTVSports:  Hasina's done with her speech and the stadium lights up with fireworks Thursday February 17, 2011 6:42

Sonu:   The official excitement can begin now..... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:42

Kaushik:   Thanks NDTV. You are awesome. Thursday February 17, 2011 6:42

NDTVSports:  Laser show begins at the stadium Thursday February 17, 2011 6:44

Prashant:   Thank you NDTV Thursday February 17, 2011 6:44

Thursday February 17, 2011 6:44

NDTVSports:  Electronic representation of the World Cup trophy Thursday February 17, 2011 6:45

Sandeep:   when will Bryan Adams come? Thursday February 17, 2011 6:45

NDTVSports:  Sandeep, we are waiting for him too... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:46

NDTVSports:  And we have some artists playing aerial cricket match....interesting innovation Thursday February 17, 2011 6:47

NDTVSports:  This is very interesting....who knows after a few decades we'll have another format - the aerial cricket...kidding of course! Thursday February 17, 2011 6:48

Sonu:   Keep those lovely snaps coming....... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:49

NDTVSports:  Some Indian artists in colourful outfits doing an act... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:50

Kaushik:   Aerial Cricket Match. A nice concept.. Thursday February 17, 2011 6:50

Thursday February 17, 2011 6:51

Thursday February 17, 2011 6:52

NDTVSports:  These artists dancing with make believe 'Diyas' Thursday February 17, 2011 6:53

NDTVSports:  And here are Maharasthrian dancers performing their traditional dance...we also have dancers from Kashmir and Punjab Thursday February 17, 2011 6:55

Thursday February 17, 2011 6:57

NDTVSports:  The dancers performing on 'Bhumbro Bhumbro' Thursday February 17, 2011 6:58

NDTVSports:  And now some jhatakas from South India... Thursday February 17, 2011 6:58

NDTVSports:  Time for some 'Balle Balle'....dancers grooving on 'Rang De Basanti'' title track Thursday February 17, 2011 7:00

NDTVSports:  Great show so far...7000 people and over 40 days were required to put this show together Thursday February 17, 2011 7:03

NDTVSports:  Here are Sri Lankan singers performing - Bathiya and Santush Thursday February 17, 2011 7:04

NDTVSports:  Iraj is the third singer on the stage Thursday February 17, 2011 7:05

NDTVSports:  One of them looks like Malinga Bandara Thursday February 17, 2011 7:06

Vikram:   Super Snaps.. Thursday February 17, 2011 7:06

Kaushik:   Thanks NDTV for those glittering pictures. Keep those coming. Thursday February 17, 2011 7:06

NDTVSports:  It was short and very lively... Thursday February 17, 2011 7:07

Prakash:   is money wasted for world cup ceremony will giving poor people is best development for bangladesh Thursday February 17, 2011 7:08

NDTVSports:  Some more performance from the Sri Lankan artists....traditional Lankan dancers riding a lion-headed boat while other performers forming the Indian Ocean...Nice Concept Thursday February 17, 2011 7:10

Kabir:   God it actually needs to rain more in Dhaka for once. This is getting unbearable. I guess the good thing is that from here the world cup can only get better... Thursday February 17, 2011 7:10

Pramod:   Cant wait to see Indians come on the field Thursday February 17, 2011 7:11

NDTVSports:  A beautiful princess emerges from a shell and performs with other dancers Thursday February 17, 2011 7:14

NDTVSports:  The 2003 World Cup ceremony was undoubtedly the best one, this ceremony is impressive nonetheless Thursday February 17, 2011 7:16

Guest:   come on INDIA Thursday February 17, 2011 7:16

Thursday February 17, 2011 7:18

Thursday February 17, 2011 7:19

NDTVSports:  Sabina Yasmin, Bangladesh's popular singer, performs 'Dheere Dheere' Thursday February 17, 2011 7:20

Thursday February 17, 2011 7:21

NDTVSports:  She sings 'Ekti Bangladesh' Thursday February 17, 2011 7:22

Thursday February 17, 2011 7:23

Kaushik:   CWG opening cerememony was mind blowing, WC opening ceremoney is descent. Thursday February 17, 2011 7:24

NDTVSports:  Meanwhile, the revamped Wankhede Stadium has got the approval of the International Cricket Council for staging World Cup ties, including the final on April 2. Thursday February 17, 2011 7:25

NDTVSports:  And now comes in Runa Laila...she is a popular face across the India sub-continent Thursday February 17, 2011 7:27

NDTVSports:  Laila croons her evergreen number ....'Dama Dam Mast Kalandar' Thursday February 17, 2011 7:29

Thursday February 17, 2011 7:30

NDTVSports:  Traditional Bangladesh dancers with dhols, dhaks and umbrellas Thursday February 17, 2011 7:32

NDTVSports:  And now Manipuri dancers from India joining them on field...what a confluence of cultures Thursday February 17, 2011 7:33

Kaushik:   Proud moment for the Sub Continent for hosting this World Cup. Thursday February 17, 2011 7:33

gautham:   very nice pic Thursday February 17, 2011 7:34

Siva:   Awesome! Thursday February 17, 2011 7:36

NDTVSports:  Bangla performers enacting their freedom struggle... Thursday February 17, 2011 7:38

NDTVSports:  Some AV on their political struggle.... a walk down their memory lane... Thursday February 17, 2011 7:41

NDTVSports:  The artists are performing to the songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam, who is Bangladesh's national poet Thursday February 17, 2011 7:42

Thursday February 17, 2011 7:43

NDTVSports:  After Lankan Lion, here comes the Royal Bengal Tiger Thursday February 17, 2011 7:44

NDTVSports:  And now we get a glimpse of Bangladesh's New Year celebrations...very colourful representation Thursday February 17, 2011 7:46

Samaksh:   The opening ceremony is beautiful.....go india go!!!'De Ghooma Ke' Thursday February 17, 2011 7:47

Raj:   The program is awesome. Thursday February 17, 2011 7:47

NDTVSports:  And hold your breath...here comes BRYANNNN ADAMSSSS Thursday February 17, 2011 7:52

NDTVSports:  And his all-time hit...Summer of 69 Thursday February 17, 2011 7:52

NDTVSports:  In case you guys wanna sing along.....here are the lyrics I got my first real six-string Bought it at the five-and-dime Played 'til my fingers bled It was summer of '69 Me and some guys from school Had a Band and we tried real hard Jimmy quit and Jody got married I shualda known we'd never get far Oh when I lock back now That was seemes to last forever And if I had the choice Ya - I'd always wanna be there Those were the best days of my life Thursday February 17, 2011 7:53

NDTVSports:  And now the times are changin' Look at everything that's come and gone Somethimes when I play that old six-string I think about ya wonder what went wrong Standin' on a mama's porch You told me it would last forever Oh the way you held my hand I knew that it was now or never Those were the best days of my life Thursday February 17, 2011 7:54

NDTVSports:  O Yeahhhh..it was Summer of 69 Thursday February 17, 2011 7:55

yuvaraj:   what a nice opening ceremony Thursday February 17, 2011 7:57

NDTVSports:  And now.. Let's make it a night to remember ....  Thursday February 17, 2011 7:58

NDTVSports:  He has certainly made it one..what say guys??? Thursday February 17, 2011 7:59

Vishal:   awesome performnce..!! waiting for another perfomance of sonu..! Thursday February 17, 2011 7:59

Santosh:   I am Loving It !!!!!!!!!!! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:00

rajeev:   GR8 OPENING, BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE TEAMS.. PLAY GOOD WITH SPORTSMEN SPIRIT..CHEERS. Thursday February 17, 2011 8:01

NDTVSports:  '18 till I die' ... a song definitely for Shahid Afridi Thursday February 17, 2011 8:02

NDTVSports:  Electric, awesome and totally mind blowing  Thursday February 17, 2011 8:04

NDTVSports:  Clap Clap Clap....he set the stage on fire...amazing!!! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:05

Ruchi:   Love u NDTV....Thanks a ton....I become a part of it from Germany !! Cheers ! :) Thursday February 17, 2011 8:05

NDTVSports:  And now come Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the composers of the World Cup anthem...De Ghooma Ke Thursday February 17, 2011 8:06

Vishal:   ndtv you are just be amazing and making it more live.thank you a ton! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:06

NDTVSports:  This anthem has been composed in three languages...Hindi, Bengali and Sinhalese...very peppy lyrics and very sub-continental tune Thursday February 17, 2011 8:07

NDTVSports:  And Shakar's singing in all three languages...great effort.... Thursday February 17, 2011 8:09

NDTVSports:  Fireworks and some laser show add more bling to their performance Thursday February 17, 2011 8:10

thomas(achu):   I am on duty and no televsion. thanks for ndtv. showing some wonderful pictures and messages.. Thursday February 17, 2011 8:10

rajesh:   shankar is great Thursday February 17, 2011 8:10

NDTVSports:  Extremely talented Indian trio... Thursday February 17, 2011 8:11

NDTVSports:  De Ghooma Ke...De Ghooma Ke... Thursday February 17, 2011 8:12

NDTVSports:  All artists join them in the middle of the Bangabandhu ground..all swaying to their tunes Thursday February 17, 2011 8:14

NDTVSports:  Is it the end??!! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:14

NDTVSports:  Fireworks mark the end of the spectacular openining ceremony and beginning of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Thursday February 17, 2011 8:15

NDTVSports:  And this my friends is the end...keep watching this place for all the World Cup action Thursday February 17, 2011 8:16

NDTVSports:  India will lock horns with Bangladesh in the opening match on February 19...Can they avenge their 2007 defeat? Thursday February 17, 2011 8:17

NDTVSports:  And that's all from us..great response guys..keep them coming! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:20

NDTVSports:  Till we meet next...take care and enjoy the World Cup!!!! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:21

Ruchi:   Great !! Hats off to your effort !! Looking forward to the vedio !! I watch them all as my daily top agenda !! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:26

Ruchi:   Thanks NDTV ! Thursday February 17, 2011 8:26

Ersha @singapore:   thanks to NDTV...... Thursday February 17, 2011 8:38

Prakash:   many many thanks to ndtv for good pics. thanks a lot Thursday February 17, 2011 8:38

Ayangudi Ersha @singapore:   Thanks to NDTV Thursday February 17, 2011 8:39

Thursday February 17, 2011 8:47