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Fierce bidding on for mini-World Cup

The second edition of the ICC knockout one-day tournament, scheduled for October 2000, has produced fierce competition. ICC chief executive David Richards indicated that Sharjah, Kenya and Bangladesh have all bid for hosting rights.

The first edition of the knockout tournament involving all nine Test playing nations -- dubbed the mini-World Cup -- was hosted by Dhaka, in Bangladesh, in October 1998.

A decision is expected early next month.

Richards himself is just back after heading a 14-delegate team to Nairobi, to inspect the facilities on offer in the Kenyan capital. He was accompanied by, among others, South African cricket board chief and ICC international development committee chairman Dr Ali Bacher.

Richards also clarified that no decision was imminent on the issue of granting full Test status to Bangladesh, currently holders of the ICC trophy. Bangladesh has been lobbying hard for full Test status, but in Richards' estimation, that nation will have to wait a while for the honour.