Earlier, the world cricket body selected popular desert venue Sharjah for hosting the first ever knock-out basis World Cup among the four contesting cities. The three others were Dhaka (Bangladesh), Disneyland (USA) and Toronto (Canada).

International Cricket Council (ICC) president Jagmohan Dalmiya today (Monday) announced Dhaka as the fresh venue in place of Sharjah due to some sponsorship restrictions that will significantly reduce the income from the event.

``This special event is being run for one purpose only - to raise a large sum to fund the introduction of the ICC development programme'' said Dalmiya in a media release from Calcutta today (Monday). ``It is important that we aim to maximise the return for cricket'', he added.

Bangladesh Cricket Board President and Deputy Minister for Shipping Saber Hossain Chowdhury conveyed the message of the ICC president at a Press conference at the BCB office here on Monday afternoon. The BCB chief told newsmen that the ICC president talked with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and finalised Dhaka as the new venue after receiving positive response from the head of the government herself. ``We were the first choice `` Saber Chowdhury said, but missed the bid due to weather problem'' Now the schedule have been partially changed as weather in Dhaka generally remains good in later part of October and early November, he said.

The detailed programme of the ICC knock-out World Cup will be announced after a meeting with ICC president, its chief executive and Finance and Marketing committee chairman in Dhaka on January 16. The ICC officials will be here during the Independence Cup cricket tournament to be held Jan 10 - 18.

Replying to a question, the BCB president said Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the running commentary of the tri-nation Independence Cup cricket and Bangladesh Television is also expected to telecast the matches live.