( CNN ) -- The Bangladeshi capital Dhaka was transformed into a wall of noise and color Thursday as a lavish ceremony officially opened the Cricket World Cup . A spectacular four-hour performance at the Bangabandhu Stadium showcased the cricket-crazy culture of the country , which is hosting the tournament along with south Asian neighbors India and Sri Lanka . The ceremony included 3,500 performers as the captain of each participating nation was introduced to the crowd via the traditional mode of transport , a rickshaw . Canadian pop star Bryan Adams took part in the festivities , along with Bangladesh singer Runa Laila and Sonu Nigam from India . CNN blog : Cricket fever builds in Bangladesh . The city of Mirpur plays host to the first of 49 games over the six-week tournament on Friday as World Cup favorites India take on Bangladesh . The last edition , in the Caribbean in 2007 , was criticized for being complicated to follow and going on too long . Australia retained their title in the West Indies , and are aiming to win a fourth straight World Cup this time around . The International Cricket Council 's ( ICC ) president Sharad Pawar told the crowd he was confident the 2011 installment would be the finest yet . `` Today is a historic day when the people of Bangladesh join India and Sri Lanka together to host the ICC Cricket World Cup , and make this tournament the most memorable yet , '' he said . `` The ICC Cricket World Cup , our flagship event , provides the stage on which players have the rare opportunity to create legend and to write their own chapter in the history of this great sport . `` The greatest cricketers in the world will grace this event and I am sure that their ability , whether with bat or ball , will provide excitement and enjoyment for all cricket lovers . '' Bangladesh 's prime minister , Sheikh Hasina , hailed a momentous day for her country . `` We feel greatly privileged to co-host the cricket extravaganza in our beautiful country , '' she said . `` I congratulate my cricket-loving countrymen for their great enthusiasm and cooperation to make this event a grand success . '' Prior to the opening ceremony the ICC announced its disappointment that Salman Butt , Pakistan 's former captain who was banned from the game for corruption , was to appear as a pundit covering the World Cup . ICC chief executive , Haroon Lorgat , said he was `` not satisfied '' by Butt 's role on a Pakistani television channel and would seek to clarify whether he is in breach of the terms of his ban . It was also confirmed that players and officials would be banned from using their mobile phones during matches , to prevent them updating sites like Twitter . New penalties were introduced for anyone found to break the new rules .
Lavish ceremony officially opens six-week Cricket the World Cup in Dhaka . Bangladesh , Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka will host the tournament . The six-week competition is due to stage a total of 3,500 games . Australia aiming for first straight World Cup success .