The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup held in 2019 was hosted by which country or combination of countries?

Introduction / Context:
The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup is rotated among different host nations, and remembering where each edition was held is a recurring theme in sports general knowledge. The 2019 World Cup produced several dramatic matches, including a famous final. This question asks which country or group of countries hosted the 2019 tournament, checking your knowledge of recent cricket history.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The tournament in question is the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
• We are asked for the host location, not the winner.
• Options include England and Wales, West Indies, Australia and New Zealand, India and Pakistan, and South Africa and Zimbabwe.
• We assume official ICC tournament records.

Concept / Approach:
The 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup was hosted by England and Wales. The matches were played at various grounds across these two parts of the United Kingdom, including iconic venues such as Lord's, The Oval, and Old Trafford. England eventually won the tournament, but this question focuses only on where the tournament took place, making “England and Wales” the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that 2019 was the World Cup where England won their first ODI World Cup title.Step 2: Remember that the final was played at Lord's in London, which is in England.Step 3: Note that several matches were also held in Wales, for example at Cardiff.Step 4: Compare these details with the options given.Step 5: Choose “England and Wales” as the correct host combination.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think back to the previous World Cup in 2015, which was co hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The 2011 edition was hosted by India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The 2019 World Cup followed this sequence and returned to England and Wales, which had hosted earlier tournaments as well. This chronological order confirms that 2019 belongs to England and Wales, not the other pairs listed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
West Indies hosted the 2007 World Cup, not the 2019 tournament. Australia and New Zealand co hosted the 2015 World Cup. India and Pakistan co hosted in 1987, while India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh were hosts in 2011. South Africa and Zimbabwe were involved in hosting the 2003 World Cup, not the 2019 event. Therefore, all these options refer to different years and are incorrect for this particular edition.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates remember that England both hosted and won the World Cup in 2019 but forget that Wales was also officially included as a co host. Others may mix up 2015 and 2019 and choose Australia and New Zealand by mistake. Keeping a simple table of World Cup years, winners, and hosts helps prevent such confusion in exams.

Final Answer:
The 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup was hosted by England and Wales.