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Cricket World Cup Countdown: 16 days to go – New format that blew away Pakistan and India

Sport360 staff

11:39 29/01/2015

Perhaps no World Cup will be remembered as much as the ill-fated 2007 edition, which saw a record 16 teams participate in the mega event.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) toyed with the idea of giving representation to associate nations so that their global fan-base could increase. Apart from the 10 full member nations, Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, Bermuda, Scotland and Kenya made the final draw, where 16 teams were divided into four groups.

The best two sides at the completion of the group stage were to qualify for the Super 8 and that is what led to one of the biggest shocks of world cup history as favourites Pakistan and India both bowed out at the initial stages of the tournament.

It was a jolt to almost 1.2 billion people residing in the neighbouring countries but the shock did not end there as Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer was tragically found dead in his hotel room shortly after his side's elimination.

Pakistani players had to face police inquiries before they returned home and the cricket world lost one of its most forward-thinking coaches.

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