DHAKA: The 100-day countdown to the Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh to be started from March 16 next year began from first hour of Friday.

Special events were held to commemorate the day in the three host cities of Chittagong, Dhaka and Sylhet simultaneously, with the unveiling of countdown clocks at 12:00 pm Thursday.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hasan Papan inaugurated the 100-day countdown in the event at South Plaza of Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban, in the capital.  

Events Manager of International Cricket Council Chris Tetley, All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmud Ullah Riyadh and national women’s team captain Salma Khatun and BCB high officials joined the programme.

While Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, the city Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury and BCB Director Shafiul Alam Chowdhury cricketers Anamul Haque and Jahanara Ahmed joined at the function in Sylhet.

On the other hand, Mayor Manzur Alam and BCB Director AZM Nasir, Akram Khan, selector Minhajul Abedin Nannu, cricketers Nasir Hossain, Shohag Gazi and Sathira Jakir joined at function in Chittagong.

ICC Events Manager Chris Tetley delivered welcome speech at around 11:45pm Thursday.

However the presence of cricketers, artists, BCB high officials and other sports representatives provided a glamorous image to the programs.

The first match of the ICC World Twenty20 Bangladesh 2014 will take place at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on 16 March 2014.

BDST: 1009 HRS, DEC 06, 2013