Pakistan v India blockbuster in Ahmedabad on Oct 15

LAHORE: The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will get rolling on October 5, but the most eagerly awaited match of the tournament will be played days later.

The blockbuster Pakistan vs India game is slated to be played on October 15 at the largest stadium in the world in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, according to the World Cup schedule announced in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Narendra Modi Stadium has a capacity of 132,000 and one can be certain that it is going to be a jam-packed affair.

Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, however, depends on government clearance.

The Greenshirts kick-start their campaign in Hyderabad against the two qualifiers before their clashes against the big boys beginning with India. They play defending champions England in their last league match on November 12.

Ten teams feature in what will be the biggest cricket World Cup ever, across 10 venues, with the Narendra Modi Stadium hosting the tournament opener and the final on November 19.

The other venues are Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai and Pune. Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram join Hyderabad in hosting the practice games.

Eight teams have qualified for the 46-day event through the Cricket World Cup Super League while the final two spots will be taken by the finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier taking place in Zimbabwe.

The tournament retains the round-robin format of last time with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches. There are six day matches in the tournament. All other matches, including the knockouts, will be day-night fixtures.

The top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals to be played in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.

Pakistan are still to officially confirm their participation in the World Cup, because of the strained political relations with neighbours. Pakistan have not toured India since the 2016 men’s T20 World Cup.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier it would evaluate the situation and advise the Pakistan Cricket Board accordingly.

Meanwhile, defending champions England will take on New Zealand in a much-awaited clash between the 2019 World Cup finalists that opens the tournament in Ahmedabad, while hosts India will face-off against five-time winners Australia in Chennai on October 8.

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “We are delighted to release the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 schedule which is always a huge occasion ahead of any global event.

“Hundreds of millions of fans around the world will be part of what we hope will be the greatest ever Men’s Cricket World Cup and we know in India the teams will enjoy a unique electric atmosphere concluding with the winners lifting the trophy in the biggest cricket stadium in the world in Ahmedabad.”

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said: “It’s a matter of great honour and pride to be hosting the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in different cities across India, showcasing the rich diversity of our country.

“The fervour and passion for cricket in India is unique. I am sure fans both here and abroad would be looking forward to the tournament’s return to India for the first time since 2011, when our team became the first to lift the trophy on home soil.

“I wish all the teams the very best in their preparations and look forward to hosting what promises to be another exciting tournament.”