A joint news conference involving the 14 captains of the participating teams in the 10th Cricket World Cup was marked by chaos ahead of the opening ceremony on Thursday evening.

The captains gathered at the news conference at a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.The special meet-the-press program began around 15 minutes late and was marred by chaotic scenes as photographers positioned in the middle of the hall began taking photos haphazardly.

TV crewmembers were unable to get close to the stage where the captains were sitting.

However, the prime guests did not seem annoyed.

Ricky Ponting, captain of Australian cricket team which won the cup in 2007, admitted that their team is not as strong as in the past, but are still hopeful of winning the trophy.

Bangladesh captain Sakib Al Hasan promised a good performance from his charges.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said they had their best eleven and were confident.

Sri Lanka captain Kumara Sangakara said making it to the quarter-finals was most important for them.

The captains left the hotel to join in the first phase of the five-part opening ceremony, where they would stage a march in the stadium.

Bangladesh with India and Sri Lanka is co-hosting the Cricket World Cup 2011 which was opened on Thursday evening by Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasian.

In addition to the opening ceremony, Bangladesh will host eight matches including the opening match on February 19 in Dhaka.