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Former International Cricket Council President, Ehsan Mani, described ICC World Cup 2007 as “absolutely wonderful”, noting that exposure which this tournament generated for sport should help push cricket’s global development.

Mani who earlier saw ICC CWC 2007 semifinal here, said ICC is “consciously trying to grow cricket around the world and biggest medium to getting this message out there has been television, media exposure which game has had in countries such as China”.

The spectacle of this event in the Caribbean being shown to billions of people worldwide has been “amazing” and could increase interest in sport, said Pakistani who stepped down from ICC’s top post last July.

In addition, Mani said legacy of CWC 2007 for the region would be magnificent stadia, which have been either built or almost completely refurbished for showpiece tournament.

Executive Director, ICC CWC 2003 in South Africa, Dr Ali Bacher, concurred with former ICC president.

“The main legacy will be that of grounds. I’ve been to West Indies on many occasions and it staggered me that, with ordinary grounds, practice facilities, you have produced all these brilliant world-class cricketers through years.”

Source:The News