ICC World Cup trophy arrives in Pakistan

Dubai, Sep 17 (IANS) The ICC World Cup trophy arrived in Lahore as part of its visit to countries which will compete in next year's extravaganza to be staged in Australia and New Zealand from Feb 14 to Mar 29.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who received the trophy at the Minar-e-Pakistan, said his team will leave no stone unturned in their bid to repeat the 1992 World Cup glory.

"The World Cup is the biggest global tournament for a professional cricketer. All teams are gearing up for this event and all our strategies are building up to prepare ourselves for the challenge," the 40-year-old skipper said.

"The Pakistan team's victory in 1992 in Australia and New Zealand is still the most special sporting achievement in the minds of our cricketers and all cricket fans in Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan has been placed in Pool B along with India, Ireland, South Africa, tthe West Indies, Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates.

After playing their opener against India (Feb 15 in Adelaide), Pakistan will take on the West Indies (Feb 21 in Christchurch), Zimbabwe (Mar 1 in Brisbane), the UAE (Mar 4 in Napier), South Africa (Mar 7 in Auckland), and Ireland (Mar 15 in Adelaide).

The trophy was taken to Pakistan's cricket headquarters at the Gaddafi Stadium before it was sent to Karachi where it will be displayed at the National Stadium.