Flashback: My Favourite World Cup Memories ICC 2011 World Cup

I have been acquainted with cricket since the 2003 World Cup. A seven years old boy was very curious to know about this game. At that time DishTV antennas were not that much popular in our country. We used to watch the game on Bangladesh television(BTV). Anyway, I came to know about the Cricket World Cup through the 2003 World Cup, but 2011 is the most historic World Cup to me.

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Why 2011 favorite to me:

The World Cup was hosted by the Indian Subcontinent:
The 2011 World Cup was co-hosted by four countries. i.e: Bangladesh, India, Sri-Lanka, and Pakistan. The 43-day event ended on April 2, 2011, with the final match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India's economic capital. A total of 49 matches were played in this World Cup. Of these, 29 matches were played in eight cricket grounds in India, 12 matches in three cricket fields in Sri Lanka, and 8 matches in two stadiums in Bangladesh.

The opening ceremony of the 2011 World Cup:
The opening ceremony of the 2011 World Cup was organized by Bangladesh. February 17, 2011, The 10th Cricket World Cup was inaugurated at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh had got the responsibility for the opening ceremony of the World Cup jointly organized by India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

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_{ICC 2011 World Cup theme song}

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"I hereby declare the ICC world cup 2011 open. Khoda Hafez, Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu, Longlive Bangladesh"

Immediately after the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina announced the inauguration of the event, dazzling fireworks were set off and the main event started with the participation of artists from home and abroad.

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I love the moment when all captains of every cricket team come on our traditional 3 wheel vehicle Rickshaw. Almost 14 country's cricket team took part in that world cup. It was a magnificent moment for everyone.

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The evening was further enlivened with the arrival of Canada's number one Rockstar Brad Adam's entry. He sang 3 songs that evening. One of which was the summer of 69, one of my favorite songs.

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_{Brad Adams Show on 2011 World Cup Ceremony}

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The Bangladesh Cricket Board had taken every effort to introduce Bangladesh to the world and to gift an international standard event by constructing four stadiums across the country.

A lot of dramatic matches:

A lot of dramatic matches made this world cup more memorable. Ireland had won a match against England by chasing the highest run in the History of the ICC world cup.

[1]
After 50 over England managed to score 328 on the board by the loss of 8 wickets. In the history of the world cup, 328 runs had never been chased before this match.

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_{Highlights of Ireland Vs England Match of 2011 WC}

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Chasing 329, Ireland got off to a good start but lost 5 wickets for 115 runs in 22 overs in the middle of the innings. At the time, it seemed that Ireland's loss in the match was only a matter of time. Then the superhero Kevin O Brien appeared in the match. He scored the fasted hundred in the history of the World cup in just 50 deliveries faced. When he got out at 113 runs in just 63 balls that time Irland need 12 runs in just 11 balls. Ireland won the match before 1 ball remaining of the match.

[2]
Bangladesh beat England by 2 wickets in Chittagong. It was a very exciting match. Every moment the match situation was changing. This was the first World Cup match of Bangladesh in Chittagong.

After winning the toss Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan decided to bowl first. Bangladeshi bowlers bowled out England for 225 in 49.4 overs.

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_{Highlights of Bangladesh Vs England Match of 2011 WC}

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For Chasing this small total Bangladesh was playing very well. In 31 overs Bangladesh's scoreboard was 153 for 3. It seemed like Bangladesh will win the match easily. Then the main drama started after the run out of Imrul Kayes. In the next 16 runs, Bangladesh lost their 5 wickets. The scoreboard was like 169-8.

A few moments ago the match was so close then suddenly it seems to be far away. The spectators started to leave the stadium. Bangladesh still needed 56 runs from 62 balls to win. There are only 2 wickets in hand. Bowler Shafiul Islam batted at number 10 came to the crease. Only recognized batsman Mahmudullah was in the crease. Many gave up hope of winning. But history was written from here. The team scored 171/8 in 41 overs. BD needed 55 runs from 54 balls to win. Graeme Swann came to bowl in the 42nd over. Mahmudullah scored four off the second ball of the over, Shafiul's four off the 4th ball, and Shafiul's six over the long-on at the last ball still thrill cricket fans. 16 runs came in that over.

22 runs were needed in the last 4 overs. Tim Bresnan came to bowl the 47th over. Shafiul hit a boundary in the 2nd and 5th balls of that over. Only 12 runs are needed in 3 overs. Then 5 runs in 2 overs. The victory seemed possible then. The whole cricket world is shaking with tension. Mahmudullah's played a cover drive shot in the last ball of Bresnan in the 49th over. Then the rest is history!

[3]
A historical came back of Newzeland against South Africa in the quarter-final. For the first time in the history of the world cup Newzeland participate in a world cup as an underdog team. Before the world cup, New Zealand's performance was very bad. They had whitewashed against Bangladesh before the world cup. Some experts said this team couldn't make it to the top 4 in the group stage. But they played in the semifinal. The most exciting match was the quarter-final where New-Zeland met South Africa.

After winning the toss New Zealand opt to bat first. In 50 overs they manage to put 221 runs on the scoreboard. Which was pretty much easy for RSA to chase down in 50 overs in that time.

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_{Highlights of New Zealand vs South Africa 2011 WC}

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The way RSA started playing it seemed that RSA would chase down the target very smoothly. In 24 overs the scoreboard was 108-2. Then suddenly wicket started falling and RSA innings stopped at 172 for 10.

[4]
The extra-ordinary spell of Zaheer Khan against England. In the 2011 world cup India gave a target of 339 runs in 50 overs.

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At one time it seemed that England would chase this run very easily. Because in 42.3 overs England was 281-2. England Captain Sir Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell were playing brilliantly. Then Zaheer Khan got both set batsmen in two balls in a row and save India, Neither lost in that match. Both teams Scored leveled.

The last world cup of these legendary players
I have grown up by seeing legendary players playing. This world cup was the last world of these players. They had given a lot to world cricket. The world of cricket will remember all of you.

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Sachin Tendulkar lift the world cup:
It is as if the script of the tenth edition of the ICC World Cup was written by Cricket-God himself. The long wait for a cricketing legend ends in his hometown. After 28 years, India won the World Cup again. Sachin Tendulkar got the taste of the coveted title in his sixth world-cup appearance.

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