DHAKA Feb 17 (Reuters) - Bangladeshis cast aside their usual docile and reserved image on Thursday and proudly displayed their sporting passion ahead of the gala opening ceremony of the Cricket World Cup later in the capital.
The $30 million jamboree, jointly organised by the International Cricket Conference (ICC) and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), will be opened by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Unusually for the often chaotic and jam-packed Dhaka roads, traffic was relatively light with the government declaring Thursday a half-day public holiday so its people could watch the opening ceremony.
It is the first time the country, which is slowly making a mark in world one-day cricket if not the five-day test version, has helped stage the showpiece event which will last from Feb 19 to April 2.
The country, whose population of more than 160 million has suffered more than its fair share of natural disasters, is jointly hosting with India and Sri Lanka and thoroughly enjoying its rare moment in the sporting spotlight.
Bangladesh will stage the tournament's opening match between India and Bangladesh at Shere Bangla National Stadium in the Mirpur area of Dhaka on Saturday Live This Game
