ODI World Cup 2023 draft Schedule
The anticipation for the upcoming ODI World Cup is reaching fever pitch as India, the host nation, gears up to face Australia in a thrilling opener on October 8 in the vibrant city of Chennai. Adding to the excitement, arch-rivals India and Pakistan will clash on October 15 in Ahmedabad, creating an electric atmosphere.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shared the draft schedule with the International Cricket Council (ICC), and after receiving feedback from participating countries, the final schedule is expected to be released next week.
Tournament Overview
The tournament is slated to commence on October 5 with a showdown between reigning champions England and the runner-up of the previous edition, New Zealand, in Ahmedabad. As a fitting finale, Ahmedabad will also host the grand final on November 19. While the venues for the semifinals, scheduled for November 15 and 16, are yet to be determined, cricket enthusiasts can expect nail-biting encounters at these prestigious matches. Also Read : Now I know I can win big titles says French Open finalist Muchova
Host Cities and Matches
India, aiming to replicate their triumphant 2011 ODI World Cup campaign, will play their league matches across nine cities, including Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru. Pakistan, on the other hand, will compete in five cities. Hyderabad will witness Pakistan face the two teams progressing from the qualifiers on October 6 and 12, followed by their matches against Australia in Bengaluru (October 20), Afghanistan in Chennai (October 23), and South Africa in Chennai (October 27). Additionally, Pakistan will encounter Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31, New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 5 (day match), and England in Kolkata on November 12.
Highlight Matches
Fans can mark their calendars for the thrilling encounters between Australia and Trans-Tasman rival New Zealand in Dharamsala on October 29 and against England in Ahmedabad on November 4. These clashes promise to deliver high-quality cricket and fierce competition.
Participating Teams
A total of 10 teams will participate in the ODI World Cup. Eight teams have already been determined, with the remaining two spots to be filled by teams that qualify through the qualifiers. The inclusion of these teams adds an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the tournament.
Schedule Release Delay
The release of the schedule for this edition of the tournament has experienced an unprecedented delay, with just over four months remaining until the event commences. In contrast, the schedules for the previous two editions, held in 2015 and 2019, were finalized more than a year in advance. However, this delay has only heightened the anticipation and excitement among cricket fans worldwide.
