According to the latest reports by ESPNCricinfo, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has received the draft schedule for the forthcoming ODI World Cup 2023 from the BCCI. Subsequently, ICC has forwarded it to the participating nations for comments before releasing the final schedule early the next week.
As per the draft schedule, the thrilling India vs. Pakistan match in the ODI World Cup 2023 later this year is scheduled to take place on October 15 in Ahmedabad.
Aside from the much-anticipated encounter between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan, the BCCI’s preliminary schedule features venues for other major encounters. On October 5, England and New Zealand, the two sides that competed in the dramatic tied final in 2019, will lock horns with each other. Three days later, in Chennai, India will begin their campaign against Australia. Furthermore, Australia will battle against New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 29, While England will take on the Champions of the World Test Championship 2023 in Ahmedabad on November 4 and New Zealand will play against South Africa in Pune on November 1.
The draft schedule, however, does not enlist the venue for the semi-finals, which are anticipated to be contested on November 15 and 16. Although it does mention that the opening game and the final will both take place in Ahmedabad on November 19.
Disagreements between BCCI and Pakistan major reason behind delay of ODI World Cup 2023 schedule finalization
The BCCI secretary, Jay Shah, had previously stated that the schedule would be released during the World Test Championship final on May 27. He did not, however, explain why there was a delay. Geoff Allardice, CEO of the ICC, stated that the schedule would soon be released on BBC’s Test Match Special on the first day of the World Test Championship final, but he did not provide a specific time frame.
There are several technical reasons for the delay in the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule release, but one of the main ones is a point of disagreement between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan cricket team won’t go to India for the ODI World Cup in 2023 if India doesn’t come to Pakistan for the Asia Cup or ICC Champions Trophy in 2023, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
In regards to the same, ICC chief Greg Barclay and CEO Geoff Allardice recently visited Pakistan to assure that Pakistan partakes in the ODI World Cup, keeping the frictions aside. And as per the recent reports, an agreement has been made over the Asia Cup 2023 story, and while Pakistan will host the tournament’s first four matches, the remaining nine, including India vs. Pakistan, would be played in Sri Lanka.
