Pakistan vs India World Cup 2023: Will it happen?

The eagerly anticipated fixtures for the upcoming World Cup have been released, revealing that Pakistan is set to face their arch-rivals India in a high-stakes encounter on October 15 in Ahmedabad.

However, there remains uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, pending government clearance.

PCB Seeks Government Approval for India Tour

Following the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) announcement of the 50-over tournament schedule, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has emphasized the necessity of obtaining government approval for any tour to India, including the World Cup match venues. This stance raises doubts about Pakistan’s presence in the prestigious tournament.

Schedule Highlights and Concerns over Venues

According to the schedule, Pakistan’s campaign begins with matches against two qualifiers from the tournament in Zimbabwe, scheduled in Hyderabad on October 6 and 12.

The much-anticipated clash against India takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, boasting capacity of 132,000 spectators, making it the largest cricket venue worldwide.

However, concerns have arisen regarding the choice of Ahmedabad as a venue. Pakistan had previously expressed reservations due to the city’s association with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and its history of religious unrest.

In 2002, Ahmedabad was the epicenter of violent religious riots that resulted in the loss of numerous lives, predominantly Muslims.

Pakistan’s Journey through the Tournament

Following the match against India, Pakistan’s journey takes them to Bengaluru, where they will face Australia on October 20.

The team then proceeds to Chennai for matches against Afghanistan on October 23 and South Africa on October 27. Kolkata becomes their next destination, as they take on Bangladesh on October 31, before returning to Bengaluru to face New Zealand on November 4.

The league phase concludes with a match against England in Kolkata on November 12.

Venue Adjustments and Semifinals Scenario

The Pakistan Cricket Board had expressed concerns about playing in Mumbai, and the ICC has taken measures to ensure that Pakistan does not travel to India’s financial hub for any matches.

If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, their match will be held in Kolkata. In the case of India reaching the last four, their semi-final match will be held in Mumbai, unless the opponent happens to be Pakistan.

Resolution of Dispute and Government Verdict Awaited

The announcement of the World Cup schedule comes less than four months before the tournament’s commencement, amid lingering tensions between Pakistan and India.

The two nations had been embroiled in a bitter dispute over the Asia Cup, with India refusing to travel to Pakistan for the tournament in August and September. In response, Pakistan threatened to boycott the World Cup unless they were allowed to host some Asia Cup matches on their home soil.

The stalemate was recently resolved when Pakistan agreed to share matches with Sri Lanka, enabling India to play their Asia Cup matches elsewhere.

While the PCB has forwarded the list of fixtures to the relevant government departments, the official World Cup schedule may still undergo alterations depending on Pakistan’s potential reservations, particularly if significant security concerns arise.

FAQs

How many teams will play in the ICC World Cup 2023?

The ICC World Cup 2023 will feature ten teams, making it the largest Cricket World Cup to date. These teams will compete across ten different venues from October 5 to November 19.

How many matches are there in the World Cup 2023?

A total of 48 matches will take place over the course of 46 days in the World Cup 2023.

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