Controversial Venue Chosen: Pakistan to Face Arch-Rivals India at Gujarat in ICC World Cup 2023
According to ESPNcricinfo’s recent report disclosing the draft schedule of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan and India are set to clash at the “controversial” venue of Gujarat.
Despite reservations from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about playing their match against India at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the report confirms that the high-stakes Pakistan vs India encounter will indeed take place there.
The draft schedule has been forwarded to the International Cricket Council (ICC), and feedback from all participating member boards will be considered before the final announcement.
The proposed schedule outlines that Pakistan will compete in their group-stage matches across five venues. In addition to Ahmedabad, Pakistan will face qualifying teams on October 6 and 12 in Hyderabad.
They will also play against Australia in Bengaluru on October 20, Afghanistan on October 23, and South Africa on October 27 in Chennai.
Their remaining matches include clashes with Bangladesh in Kolkata on October 31, New Zealand in Bengaluru on November 5 (day match), and England in Kolkata on November 12.
On the other hand, India will participate in matches held at all nine venues chosen for the prestigious tournament. Their campaign will commence with a match against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
The tournament opener is scheduled between England, the defending champions, and New Zealand, the finalists of the ICC World Cup 2019, on October 5.While the venues for the semi-finals have yet to be announced, the final will be hosted in Ahmedabad on November 19.