The International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have jointly rescheduled a total of nine matches for the upcoming ICC World Cup. The highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, originally scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, has been moved a day earlier. India and Pakistan will now face off on October 14 at the same venue.
Earlier, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had confirmed that the schedule for the 2023 ODI World Cup would see a few modifications. This decision came amidst reports suggesting the shift of the India-Pakistan match from October 15 to October 14.
Shah also disclosed that India, as hosts, received requests from 2-3 ICC member boards seeking adjustments in the World Cup schedule due to logistical challenges. Here’s a breakdown of the changes made to nine World Cup matches by the ICC and BCCI in the lead-up to the grand event:
- England vs Bangladesh : Reigning champions England will kick off the 2023 World Cup against 2019 runners-up New Zealand. The ICC has confirmed the rescheduling of three fixtures involving the title-holders before the main event. England’s second group match against Bangladesh will now occur on October 10 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, commencing at 10:30 AM IST.
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka : Former world champions Sri Lanka will face Pakistan on October 10 (Tuesday) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The match is slated to begin at 2 PM IST.
- Australia vs South Africa : Five-time world champions Australia are set to confront South Africa in the ODI World Cup on October 12. The match is scheduled to be held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, starting at 2 PM.
- New Zealand vs Bangladesh : Runners-up in the previous two World Cup editions, New Zealand will meet Bangladesh in the 11th match of the tournament at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The encounter is planned for a 2:00 PM start in Chennai.
- India vs Pakistan : The much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan has been shifted by a single day while retaining the same venue. The world’s largest cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium, will witness the India-Pakistan showdown on October 14. This day-night match (2:00 PM) is the 13th of the World Cup.
- England vs Afghanistan : On October 15, reigning champions England are scheduled to take on Afghanistan in a day-night fixture. Match No.12 between England and Afghanistan was previously designated for October 14. The match will kick off at 2 PM IST in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium.
- Australia vs Bangladesh : Australia’s clash with Bangladesh will now take place on November 11 at 10:30 AM. The match was initially slated for November 12. The 44th match of the ICC World Cup between the two teams will be held at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
- England vs Pakistan : This marks the third rescheduled match for England in the World Cup’s lead-up. The day-night contest (2:00 PM IST) will now be held at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
- India vs Netherlands : Hosts India will take on the Netherlands at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on November 12. The day-night match, which was initially set for November 11, will conclude India’s round-robin stage games in the World Cup.
