Every cricketer dreams of winning WC: Lorgat by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

MS Dhoni

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DateLine: 10th November 2009

 

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat said that winning the World Cup is a dream which every player aspires in his career.

 

Lorgat was speaking on the occasion of making public the fixture of 2011 World Cup. The CEO said that the preparations for the cricketing extravaganza was on track and the announcement of the schedule would give the staging associations ample time to get ready for their share of matches.

 

"A year ago we were concerned about the slow progress of the preparations. But things have started to move speedily and we are on track. Now every staging centre knows the schedule and will be in a position to prepare for the matches," he told reporters in Mumbai after announcing the World Cup schedule.

 

"Players will say they will play for nothing (prize money) in the World Cup. The World Cup is a prestigious trophy and it is one medal all cricketers aspire to win," he said.

 

Tournament Director Ratnakar Shetty said the organising committee still has got a lot to achieve after it was decided to host all the matches involving Pakistan during the league in Sri Lanka.

 

"It was an important day for the preparation of the event. We can now say preparations have taken off in right earnest," said Shetty, who is also the Chief Administrative Officer of the BCCI.

 

"It was a tough job for logistical reasons to schedule these matches as it not only involved teams to travel from city to city but from country to country too," he said.

 

ICC Vice-President and Chairman of the Central Organising Committee Sharad Pawar said the sub-continent offers great facilities for the game, sponsors, spectators as well as the media.

 

Asked about the possibility of Pakistan playing a match in India if they reach the knock-out stages, Pawar said the cricket-loving population of the country would welcome anyone to play irrespective of the political situation.

 

"I am confident the sports-loving population will welcome anyone and there's no exception," he said.

 

Indian skipper MS Dhoni, who was present at the function, said the World Cup was all about how well the players can handle pressure.

 

"I don't have good memories of my first World Cup in 2007 (in the West Indies when India made an early exit). I have a side which is good.

 

"It's all about how well you handle the pressure," he said.