DUBAI, June 5: Empty stands, expensive tickets, dull matches, a “sterile” atmosphere and unexplained death of a coach in his hotel room. Many would argue 47-day World Cup in the Caribbean was a disaster, but former ICC president Ehsan Mani labelled the tournament a tremendous success.

The mysterious demise in his Jamaican hotel room of Pakistan coach Woolmer cast a major shadow over the tournament's security measures.

But Mani told official newsletter of World Cup Organising Committee: “I have had privilege of being involved in last four World Cups. The organisation of CWC 2007 was best I have seen.”

The newsletter described March 11 Jamaican opening ceremony as ‘dazzling’ and ‘wonderful’ before praising much-criticised atmosphere in stands as a ‘cricket fiesta’.

Five weeks ago World Cup organisers had egg all over their faces as drawn-out, tedious tournament ended in farcical circumstances with Australia's win in Barbados.

Australia's victory over Sri Lanka in near-darkness on April 28, after being called back onto ground following confusion among match officials over whether game had been completed, was just one of many low points in the tournament.

—Agencies