Dhaka: World cricket chiefs on Saturday expressed satisfaction over the preparations for next year's World Cup to be jointly hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat said the event would be a huge success as he expected "close to a billion people" to watch the opening ceremony in Dhaka on February 17, 2011.

"We are progressing very well in terms of preparations for the World Cup. I am very satisfied. We are doing pretty well," Lorgat said.

World Cup organising committee chairman Sharad Pawar of India said he was confident the event would be a success.

"I am absolutely confident this will be a great successful event," he said.

India will host 29 matches of the 14-nation tournament at eight venues, Sri Lanka 12 at three venues and Bangladesh eight at two places.

Lorgat also said it would be "premature to speculate" on the fate of India's Ferozeshah Kotla ground as a Cup venue after a One-dayer against Sri Lanka was called off due to a "dangerous" pitch last month.

He said the Indian cricket authorities had responded to the ICC's query on the ground as all Cup venues have to "pass minimum standards" in order to qualify for hosting the premier event.

"ICC chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle and head of cricket operations David Richardson would determine what is the appropriate way forward to deal with that," said Lorgat.

The teams have been divided into two groups of seven each for the preliminary league, with the top four from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

Defending champions Australia head group A, which includes Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and two qualifiers, Canada and Kenya.

The other group comprises India, South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh and qualifiers Ireland, Netherlands.