Finally, the ICC ODI World Cup 2023’s schedules have been published, and India is ready to host a great India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry very soon. This time, India is to host the Ind-Pak international cricket match after a long break of seven years. So, the excitement around the event is sky-touching already.
Thousands of cricket fans are waiting to witness the all-time amazing clash between the two same border sharers. India is glad to host the entire tournament in various cities, while Pakistan is more worried about it than the self-confidence for the performance.
India to host IND-PAK match:
The series will start on 5th October with Last time Cup-holders England taking on New Zealand at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. In fact, this stadium will also host the final. The schedule was announced after weeks of delay due to Pakistan’s uneasiness about traveling to India. But the stone got rolled after Pakistan was allowed to host the Asia Cup in September in a hybrid mode. The most-awaited tussle of India vs Pakistan will be played in Ahmedabad on 15th October; after the hosts kick off their campaign against Australia on 8th October.
India vs Pakistan:
Pakistan and India are known as the bitter rivals. Due to longstanding political tensions, they only play cricket against each other in international tournaments, usually at neutral venues. Most recently, both have faced each other during the T-20 World Cup in Australia. Any match between the South Asian cricketing giants, therefore; becomes one of the most-watched sports events on the global sporting chart; and any win is used to promote nationalism at home. When they step into the field, cricket lovers get crazy on their Television screens in a billion-dollar bonanza for broadcasters. The 2019 ODI World Cup clash between Pakistan, and India drew 273 million viewers.
The fixture was announced after weeks of delay due to Pakistan’s negativity toward India; but a compromise was reached when Pakistan got the license to host a hybrid-model Asia Cup in September. The PCB said their team would require clearance from the central government to play. The PCB Communications Executive stated that they are liaising with their government for guidance.
Previous face-offs:
The 13th October face-off between Pakistan and India will be the 8th meeting between the 2 sides at a men’s World Cup stage. India and Pakistan squared off 7 times previously at the 50-over World Cup – in 1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2011, 2015, and 2019. India won all the previous 7 face-offs.
2007’s world Cup
In 2007’s West Indies World Cup; Pakistan and India failed to reach the group stage after crashing out of the series at the opening level. India vs Pakistan’s last World Cup match was played in 2019 at Old Trafford. India threw a massive target of 336/5 for Pakistan on the back of 140 made by Rohit Sharma. Team India stopped Pakistan at 212/6 in a rain-hit match that India won by 89 runs. Rohit was handed over the Player of the Match award. In the 2011 World Cup, co-hosted by India, India faced off against Pakistan in Mohali stadium in the semi-final. India won the match by 29 runs. Sachin Tendulkar scored 85 and was announced the Man of the Match.
1992’s World Cup
In the 1992’s World Cup match against Pakistan in Sydney; Tendulkar was the Man of the Match as he starred with both the bat and ball. India scored 216/7 in 49 overs, while Pakistan was uprooted for 173. In the 1996 India-Pakistan World Cup match at Bangalore; Navjot Sidhu was awarded the Man of the Match for his knock of 93 runs in 115 balls. India won that day by 39 runs.
In the 1999 India vs Pakistan at Manchester, Venkatesh Prasad was the Man of the Match for his brilliant bowling performance on 5/27. In that match, India won by 47 runs. Once again, the batting sensation Sachin Tendulkar was the Man of the Match in the 2003 India-Pakistan World Cup in South Africa. India grabbed the match by 6 wickets as Tendulkar scored 98 off just 75 balls.
Conclusion:
However, Including India vs Pakistan, this 48-match tournament will be placed at 10 venues across 46 days. As stated by the ICC, the top 4 from the 10-team round-robin stage will go through to the semi-finals 100 days before the tournament begins. 8 teams already have a green signal through the World Cup Super League. The 2 final spots will be filled at the end of the current qualifying tournament running in Zimbabwe.
