Indian team departs

MUMBAI: The Indian cricket team left here early Thursday morning to take part in the World Cup beginning March 11 in the West Indies. The 15-member side, led by Rahul Dravid, left by a British Airways flight for London. The team, which is placed in Group B, will play two practice matches before clashing with Bangladesh at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Sri Lanka and Bermuda are the other teams in the pool. The opening ceremony will be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on March 11. — HNS

ICC okays Mahmood

DUBAI: Pakistan’s substitution of Azhar Mahmood for injured all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in their cricket World Cup squad was approved by the ICC on Thursday. Razzaq, who was ruled out for three weeks after injuring his knee during a training session this week, is the third Pakistan player to pull out ahead of the tournament in the Caribbean. Shoaib Akhtar (knee) and Mohammad Asif (elbow) are also out, but the International Cricket Council is yet to receive a request from the Pakistan Cricket Board to replace the two pacemen. — AP

Tickets still available

NEW DELHI: Over 2,200 tickets for the World Cup final to be held at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on April 28 will go on sale on Friday online and in the official ticket centres at the nine host venues in the West Indies, according to an ICC Cricket World Cup press release. “There was excessive demand for the final and we are sure that cricket fans will appreciate this golden opportunity to get their hands on these much sought after tickets for the biggest tournament match,” said CWC commercial director, Stephen Price. — HNS