Stating this, ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya said launching of a ``cricket week'' with strong media and Internet backing and schemes to raise the standard of the game in associate member-countries, are among the steps being taken to promote it worldwide.

``The ICC in its 90-year history has remained a closed body. As many new members as possible have to be brought in if the game is to emerge a global sport like football,'' Dalmiya said.

He defended the holding of the Wills International Cup (the ICC knockout tournament), involving nine Test-playing countries, in Dhaka from October 24, saying it was part of his organisation's efforts to spread cricket to various parts of the world.

Bangladesh, an associate member, has already been granted one-day international status and has applied for recognition as a Test-playing country.

Releasing the fixture of the competition, ICC chief executive David Richards said all matches would be considered as official ODIs. The matches will begin at 1400 hours.

The tournament begins with a pre-quarterfinal match between New Zealand and Zimbabwe while the other countries are drawn in the quarters.