Sports

Let the games begin: World Cup 2015 opening ceremony

Australia and New Zealand are hosting the cricket tournament as 14 countries compete for the trophy

Web Desk February 12, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

Awe-inspiring World Cup 2015 opening ceremony is underway in Christchurch, Australia with several thousand gathered at the Hagley Park.

Australia and New Zealand are hosting the cricket tournament as 14 countries compete for the trophy.

Pakistani artists performed the famous Junoon song Jazba Junoon at the opening ceremony.

Express News screengrab of the performance

Guardian, which covered the opening ceremony live, was not too impressed by the performance. This is what they had to say in their live updates:

Pakistan out now, or at least a band singing Rhythm of Pakistan, or it could be the name of the band, I dunno. It’s ... it’s really quite boring. Couldn’t they have Wasim Akram being shot out a cannon? Imran Khan fighting Javed Miandad.

Some in Pakistan agreed:

Why didn't they just send Ali Azmat instead of these random waiters to sing Jazba Junoon. No offense to waiters. #CWC15
— Shaheryar Mirza (@mirza9) February 12, 2015

Here are a few other sights and sounds from the ceremony.

Things getting going here in Christchurch! #CWC15 #openingCeremony pic.twitter.com/fbLUf3wQv7
— Olivia Rae (@ollierae14) February 12, 2015

Hagley Park is buzzing!!! Loving this atmosphere! #openingCeremony #Christchurch @cricketworldcup #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/K8YsxvbieX
— Shreya (@ShreyaParanjape) February 12, 2015

World Cup opening ceremony kicks off at Hagley Park in Christchurch. #CWC15 pic.twitter.com/2WLjyvo4pS
— News18 CricketNext (@cricketnext) February 12, 2015

I better see Lala Boom Boom and Nickname Misbah doing Gangnam Style soon or I'll lose interest. #openingCeremony #CWC15
— Mahwash Ajaz 🇵🇰 (@mahwashajaz_) February 12, 2015