The ICC World Cup 2019 began with a glittering opening ceremony in London on Wednesday, a day before the blockbuster opening content between England and South Africa. The two teams will clash at the Oval to mark the beginning of the showpiece event in UK.
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The eve of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 was no less than a royal affair. The captains of ten participating teams were invited for the Royal Garden Party where they met Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry. There were other members of the royal family. The official Twitter handle of Royal Family shared pics of skippers, Aaron Finch of Australia, Gulbadin Naib of Afghanistan, Mashrafe Mortaza of Bangladesh, Eoin Morgan of England, Virat Kohli of India, Kane Williamson of New Zealand, Sarfaraz Ahmed of Pakistan, Faf du Plessis of South Africa, Dimuth Karunaratne of Sri Lanka and Jason Holder of West Indies. They not only met the Royals, but also had a grand opening party and opening ceremony, which saw former cricketers and fans cheer up their favourites at The Mall, a road in the City of Westminster, central London, between Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square.
Former cricketers Mahela Jayawardene, Anil Kumble, Jacques Kallis, Azhar Ali, Abdur Razzak, James Franklin, Kevin Pietersen, Brett Lee, Pat Cash along with Viv Richards were photographed playing some gully cricket. A unique 60-second challenge was played during the opening ceremony in which all teams were given one minute to score the maximum runs. England came out as the winners as they scored 74 in one minute whereas India finished at the bottom as they scored just 19.
Pakistan’s Noble Prize winner Malala Yousafzai also enjoyed a bit of batting and having fun. The young lady also clicked pictures with Indian actor-director, Farhan Akhtar. The Bollywood star also rubbed shoulders with cricketing greats in the street cricket at the iconic road, The Mall. Here’s a look at all the pics and videos from ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Opening Party and Royal Garden Party.
Queen Elizabeth II With The Captains
The captains from all ten #CWC19 sides met Queen Elizabeth II & the Duke of Sussex at Buckingham Palace earlier today. pic.twitter.com/ejorQW1dvN
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 29, 2019
Malala Yousafzai With Farhan Akhtar
The pride of Pakistan #MalalaYousafzai Yes she is he?? pic.twitter.com/aiJfqQiI0C
— GullaAfridi (@gullaafridi) May 29, 2019
Malala Yousafzai In Some Gully Cricket Action
What a way to open #CWC19! ? pic.twitter.com/6dAcjwAxYn
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 29, 2019