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With the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup now just weeks away, Emirates, the international airline of the UAE and an official sponsor, added to the anticipation by launching a major promotion recently.

Six cricket stars from three of the participating teams joined forces to affix a Cricket World Cup logo to one of Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft at the Emirates Engineering Centre at Dubai International Airport.

The players included England captain Alec Stewart and bowler Darren Gough; Pakistan's wicket-keeper Moin Khan and bowler Saqlain Mushtaq. Indian bowlers Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath completed the line-up.

Tim Clark, Chief Director (Airline) attended the ceremony, which took place in Hangar C of Emirates' state-of-the-art Engineering Centre. Mr. Clark commented: ``This is the second major cricket sponsorship for emirates, and follows our involvement last year in the Emirates triangular Tournament in the UK. We are happy to be an official sponsor for the cricket World Cup. It is a natural link for us, as we fly to most of the major cricket-playing nations and this championship gives us an opportunity to increase awareness of the airline and highlight our network.''

In addition to its involvement in the cricket World Cup as an official sponsor, Emirates is also sponsor for the Australian cricket team.

Once the cricket World Cup starts on May 14, the six players will be competing fiercely for the championship, but they joined forces to launch Emirates' latest promotion of the event.

From now until the end of the tournament, all nine Emirates Boeing 777s and the airline's two new Airbus A330 aircraft will carry the cricket World Cup logo, a dynamic representation of a fast bowler in action. With four flights daily into the UK, plus services to all participating countries except New Zealand, the West Indies and Zimbabwe, the airline will promote worldwide a championship that promises to be the dominant global sports event of this summer.

Participating countries include: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe. The matches will be played in 21 locations from May 14 through to the Final at Lord's on June 20.