ICC World Twenty20: AR Rahman, Akon dazzle opening ceremony concert in Dhaka
Both AR Rahman and Akon performed in Dhaka for the first time in a Bangladesh Cricket Board event, which was designed in such a way so as to promote the ICC World Twenty20 that starts from March 16 with the qualifying stage.
Oscar-winning Indian music composer AR Rahman and Senegalese-American R&B singer Akon on Thursday performed together in the unnamed opening ceremony concert of the 2014 Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The event was held at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka. Local bands and solo artistes also performed at the event.
Rahman also met Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday to discuss the sub-continent's music with her, according to a Bangladesh website. She expressed satisfaction over the work Rahman was doing to promote the music of the sub-continent before the world.
Both Rahman and Akon performed in Bangladesh for the first time in an event organised by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. Although there will not be an opening ceremony as such, the event was designed in such a way so as to promote the Twenty20 World Cup that starts from March 16 with the qualifying stage. (India, West Indies favourites: Michael Vaughan)
The concert reportedly cost the BCB a whopping 3-million-dollars. After going for sale online on March 8, tickets for the event were sold out well before it was staged on March 13. ('Revamped' Twenty20 World Cup searches for identity)
Led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian team left for the Twenty20 World Cup on Friday. India will be looking to make amends for their dismal run starting with two series abroad in South Africa, New Zealand and then the Asia Cup in Bangladesh. (Dhoni awaits maiden T20I fifty | Team India ducks media again)