DUBAI, August 25 (INP) - The ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy will start its journey from the International Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai on Monday, 27 August 2018. Travelling across five continents, 21 countries and over 60 cities the “most connected Trophy Tour ever” will allow fans around the world to get up close to the coveted prize that will be lifted at Lord’s Cricket Ground on 14 July, 2019, the International Cricket Council reported in a press release. During the nine-month journey, the Trophy Tour will travel not only to countries taking part in the tournament, but for the first time ever will go beyond traditional cricket heartlands and connect with fans in a further 11 countries where cricket is growing including Nepal, USA and Germany. From the United Arab Emirates, the Trophy will travel to Oman, the USA, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany before arriving in England and Wales on 19 February, 2019 for a 100-day domestic Trophy Tour. From October 3rd to 5th, the trophy will be displayed in Lahore. It will stay in Islamabad from 6th to 8th October, whereas, it will remain in Karachi between 9th to 13th October. During its journey, the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy will visit iconic and unusual locations, communities, schools, universities and even people’s homes in a bid to connect people globally in what will be the most unique, and accessible Trophy Tour to date. Fans will be able to take part in a virtual reality cricket zone, have their photo taken with the trophy and feel what it is like to be at the Cricket World Cup, with a unique in-stadia experience, as well as a range of other exciting activities across the Tour. Fans will also be able to connect with its journey on the Trophy Tour section of the ICC website, which includes an interactive map outlining the itinerary with information about each stop. They will also be able to see behind the scenes content and for the first time will be able to follow the journey in real time as it makes its way around the world. ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson said: “The Trophy Tour is a unique opportunity for fans around the world to be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup and by going to more countries and more cities than ever before we’re giving people more opportunities to be part of this fantastic sporting event. He said cricket has more than a billion fans and taking the trophy to new markets is a wonderful chance to raise the profile of the game and engage both new and existing fans as they get the rare opportunity to get up close to the trophy. Inp/khan