It's lights, camera, action as Dhaka gears up for opening ceremony

Bangladesh's capital city Dhaka is all dressed up in anticipation of the World Cup that gets underway in less than 48 hours.

All roads leading out of the international airport and into Mirpur, where the opening match between India and Bangladesh will be played on February 19, are lit up with enchanting lights installed by a Singapore-based lighting company. Dhaka has been given an absolutely new look. In fact, such is the decor all around, that one cannot avoid stopping and staring at the illuminated installations, even if that means blocking the streets, in the bargain.

The Bangladesh government has announced that every Bangladesh match day will be a national holiday.

Everyone is eagerly looking forward to the colourful opening ceremony that takes place at the refurbished Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Rock star Bryan Adams will be performing at the opening ceremony, in what will be his first visit to Dhaka.
Cricket lovers are also eagerly anticipating the arrival of Team India, and Sachin Tendulkar in particular, here today. "We are waiting for Tendulkar. After India arrive tomorrow,u00a0 Bangladesh will be rocking," one cricket enthusiast told MiD DAY.