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West Indies, Pakistan in World Cup opener

Last updated on: July 20, 2005 14:47 IST

India will play its first match of the 2007 World Cup on March 17 against Bangladesh at Port of Spain, according to the match schedule unvelied by the International Cricket Council in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.

The event logo and event mascot were also unveiled at this 'Brand Launch' event, which was streamed live on the internet.

Before the opening ceremony on March 11, all the teams will play warm-up matches between March 5-9 with India slated to play Holland (March 6) and West Indies (March 9).

India has been drawn with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bermuda in Group B.

First Match (March 13): West Indies vs Pakistan (Group D) at the newly renovated Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

The League Stage (March 13- 23): Each team will play against the teams in its Group. There will be in all six games played by every group over a period of eleven days

In all four Group stage Host Venues, six matches will be played over 11 days.

Super 8 (March 27- April 21): The winners and runners-up from each of the four groups will earn the right to advance to the Super 8 stage of the tournament where teams will play each of the other teams advancing – except the team which advanced from their own group – for a total of six games each.

The Super 8 stage of the tournament will be played in four countries: Antigua, Guyana, Grenada and Barbados.

Semi-finals (April 23-26): The top four teams in the Super 8 stage will advance to the semi-finals of the event, which will be played in Jamaica and Saint Lucia.

Final: April 28, Saturday, will see the climax of the mega-event.

The mascot: The event mascot is a teenage character called 'Mello' who embodies the lifestyle of the region.