DHAKA, April 16, 2019 (BSS)–The ICC Cricket World Cup has always
remained as the major attraction all around the globe in the field of
cricket. Whether it is a T20 or an ODI world cup, the crowd is always ready
to give their best when it comes to cheering for their favourite team. The
crowd is always on the edge of their seats because of the nail-biting
finishes in World Cup.
It is a prestigious, and a dream moment for a cricketing nation to host
the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, not all cricket playing nations have
hosted the World Cup so far. Up till now, only 11 major cricketing countries
have hosted this prestigious event in the history of cricket.
The top cricketing nations of the world like England and India have even
hosted it multiple times. Whereas a country like Afghanistan is yet to host
their first ICC Cricket World Cup. Such 11 nations which have hosted the
World Cups so far are:
11. Bangladesh (ICC World Cup 2011)
The first match of 2011 ICC World Cup was played at Dhaka in Bangladesh.
The 10th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup was played in 3 countries-
India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. It was the first time that the ICC World Cup
was hosted by Bangladesh. Few matches of the Bangladesh team were played in
their home and the rest in India and Sri Lanka.
The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium and the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury cricket
stadium were the two main grounds where the matches were organised in
Bangladesh. In spite of having the home advantage, Bangladesh didn’t make it
to the winning line as India lifted the 2011 World Cup.
10. Kenya (2003)
Kenya so far hasn’t been considered as the sole country to host a world
cup. However, it was selected as the co-host along with South Africa and
Zimbabwe during the 2003 ICC World Cup.
However, though Kenya was selected as the co-host, very few matches were
of that cup was played there. Only 2 matches of the 2003 World Cup had been
played in Nairobi city of Kenya.
The Nairobi Gymkhana Club was selected as the venue to host the matches
referring to its seating capacity of 8,000 spectators. Kenya won both the
matches played on their home ground as the New Zealand side did not enter the
cricket field due to security troubles while the African side upset Sri Lanka
in their last home match.
9. Zimbabwe (2003)
The standard of international cricket in Zimbabwe has raised to a large
extent in the last few years. The credit for it goes to some high class
players who took the level of Zimbabwean cricket to a new extent. Considering
this point only, this country was allotted a few matches of the 2003 World
Cup.
A total of 6 matches of the 2003 World Cup were played in two venues of
Zimbabwe- Harare and Bulawayo. Three matches were played at Harare sports
club and the rest of the three in the Queens Sports club.
8. West Indies (ICC World Cup 2007)
West Indies was the only country to host the 2007 ICC World Cup.
The 9th edition of the cricketing festival was organised in the year
2007. This time, West Indies got the chance to host the World Cup in their
nation. A total of 8 stadiums were used to conduct 51 matches during that
year. After this, West Indies hasn’t hosted an ICC World Cup so far.
Out of those 8 venues, Kensington Oval was the most remarkable stadium
as it hosted the final match of that World Cup. However, West Indies didn’t
get the favour of their home conditions as Australia won that World Cup after
defeating Sri Lanka in the final through the Duckworth-lewis method as rain
reduced the number of overs.
7. Sri Lanka (1996 and 2011 ICC World Cup)
Sri Lanka has hosted 2 ICC World Cups so far – 1996 and 2011
Sri Lanka has been lucky to host 2 major cricketing World Cups so far.
They hosted the ICC World Cup for the first time in 1996 along with India and
Pakistan as the co-host. But only 4 matches of that world cup were played in
their nation, 3 in Colombo and 1 in Kandy. However, they emerged as the
winners of the World Cup by beating all-time favourites, Australia in the
final.
They hosted their 2nd ICC World Cup in the year 2011 but this time with
India and Bangladesh as their hosting partners. This World Cup was also a
remembering one for them as they ended at the 2nd place. The Indian team
defeated the Lankan side by 6 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai in
the final to lift the trophy.
6. Pakistan (1987 and 1996 ICC World Cup)
Pakistan hosted their first World Cup in the year 1987.
India and Pakistan have always remained as fierce rivals in terms of
cricket. However, the year 1987 was a magical one for both the sides as for
the first time, these 2 nations hosted the ICC World Cup on a combined basis.
A total of 10 matches of that World Cup were played in Pakistan and the rest
of the matches were contested in India.
Pakistan hosted its 2nd World Cup in the year 1996 this time with India
and Sri Lanka. However, Pakistan had the upper hand as the final match was
played at Lahore in Pakistan. However, they failed to make it to the final
despite being the defending champions.
5. South Africa (ICC World Cup 2003)
The 8th edition of ICC Cricket World Cup was organised in the year 2003
with South Africa as its main host
South Africa was selected as the main host for the 8th edition of ICC
World Cup but few matches were also played in Zimbabwe and Kenya. However,
Zimbabwe and Kenya just hosted 6 matches and 2 matches, respectively. Hence
the major part of that World Cup was played in South Africa only.
A total of 12 venues were used in that World Cup with Johannesburg and
Durban is being chosen as the main spots. However, the most important final
match was played at Johannesburg between Australia and India. Australia
lifted the 2003 World Cup as they won the final by a huge margin of 125 runs.
4. New Zealand (1992 and 2015 ICC World Cup)
New Zealand has hosted 2 ICC World Cups so far.
New Zealand has been an unlucky side especially when it comes to World
Cups as they have hosted it multiple times but still have not lifted the
trophy even once. New Zealand has hosted 2 world cups so far, the first one
in 1992 and the 2nd one in 2015. In both the cups, New Zealand shared the
hosting responsibilities with their neighbours, Australia.
New Zealand was just one victory away from winning their first World Cup
in the history during the year 2015. The home side ended the 2015 World Cup
as the runner-ups as they lost the final match against Australia. The semi-
final and the quarter-final matches of both the World Cups were shared by the
hosts but the final was played in Australia on both the occasions.
3. Australia (1992 and 2015 ICC World Cup)
The Australian side got the home advantage as they won the 2015 ICC
World Cup along with hosting it.
Australia has a very high success ratio in the Cricket World Cups.
Australia has won 5 out of the 11 World cups conducted so far. Also, it is
the only nation to win 3 consecutive World Cups. So far, Australia has hosted
2 World cups, one in 1992 and the other one in 2015.
Out of that 2, Australia won the 2015 World Cup as they made the most
out of the home conditions. A total of 25 matches and 26 matches were played
in Australia during the 1992 and 2015 World Cups respectively with the rest
of them being held in New Zealand.
2. India (1987,1996, and 2011 ICC World Cup)
India has hosted 3 ICC World Cups so far and has won 1 out of them.
India has hosted 3 out of the 11 World Cups so far. India hosted its
first ever cricketing festival in 1987 with Pakistan as the co-host. The next
2 world cups hosted by India were played in the years 1996 and 2011,
respectively.
India won the 2011 ICC World Cup with the help of home factor. Dhoni
lifted the whole Wankhede crowd with that six as India lifted the World Cup
for the 2nd time in 2011.
England (1975, 1979, 1983, and 1999 ICC World Cup)
England has hosted 4 out of 11 ICC World Cups so far.
The first ever Cricket World Cup organised by the International Cricket
Council (ICC) was played in the year 1975. England was the first nation to
host the most prestigious event in the history of cricket. Also, England hold
the record for hosting the most number of World Cups with 4 World Cups so
far.
However, the home side has been very unlucky as they have not won a
single World Cup in spite of hosting 4 World Cups so far. The first 3 World
Cups were consecutively hosted by the England side in the year 1975, 1979 and
1983. They hosted their 4th cup in the year 1999. In all these 4 world cups,
final matches were played in London.