India in easy group for next edition of Twenty20 World Cup

Dubai, Oct 31 (UNI)Defending champions India have been placed in a relatively easy group A -- alongside Bangladesh and Zimbabwe -- for the second edition of the12-nation ICC Twenty20 cricket World Championships to be held in England in 2009.

The grouping for the 2009 World Cupt was decided in a two-day ICC Board meeting,which concluded here today.

The decision to finalise the grouping at the earliest was taken on the request of hosts England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), who wanted to proceed with the venue event bidding process which would allow match tickets to go on sale without much delay.

The groupings were decided on the basis of the teams finishing positions in the inaugural edition of the championship this year.

Ten test playing ountries and two associate members will complete he field.

ODI world champions Australia have been clubbed with Sri Lanka and West Indies in Group C.

The Groups: Group A: India, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe Group B: Pakistan, England, Associate 1 Group C: Australia, Sri Lanka, West Indies Group D: New Zealand, South Africa, Associate 2 UNI