Protected by a sheet of bullet-proof glass, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina watched as home skipper Shakib Al Hasan received a rapturous welcome from the packed arena as he arrived at the rear of the unusual parade.
The two-hour event, in which Ricky Ponting, captain of defending champions Australia, led the sparkling three-wheeled procession, saw 3,500 performers putting on a show reflecting Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi culture.
Indian singer Sonu Nigam and Bangladesh-based Runa Laila as well as veteran Canadian rocker Bryan Adams were the headline acts.
"I hope that the games will be memorable and exciting," said Sheikh Hasina. "It gives me great pleasure to declare the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup open."

Stumpy, the Cricket World Cup mascot




