The back-and-forth between Indian and Pakistani cricket governing bodies threatened the organization of Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023.
However, several reports can now confirm that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have come to an agreement to allow their teams face off at the ODI World Cup 2023 in Ahmedabad later this year.
India vs Pakistan is scheduled to hold in mid-October after the PCB agreed to send their national team on a tour of their neighbor’s cricket grounds for the event. Both teams will clash at the ODI World Cup 2023 in the popular Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad during the group stages.
Why Does India Have to Meet Pakistan before Scheduling Matches?
Pakistan’s cricket board had several issues with the BCCI for several months, citing India’s unpreparedness to visit Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023. India declined a tour of Pakistan for the next Asia Cup in late 2022 amid rising political tensions between both countries.
India’s cricket body also rejected the hybrid model proposed by PCB officials, stalling Asia Cup 2023 preparations for months. India also recommended all Asia Cup 2023 matches to take place outside Pakistan.
Did Pakistan Threaten to Boycott the ODI World Cup 2023?
Pakistan had to settle for a hybrid model to host the Asia Cup 2023 due to India’s unwillingness to tour their country. The PCB was planning a direct retaliation through a boycott of all ODI World Cup 2023 games in India.
Top ICC officials led by Greg Barclay (Chairman) and Geoff Allardice (CEO) had to visit Lahore, Pakistan to dialogue with PCB officials. The ICC officials were able to secure a guarantee that Pakistan will tour India for the ODI World Cup 2023. Acceptance to play in India at the World Cup also meant India will accept Pakistan’s hybrid model suggested by PCB chair, Najam Sethi.
Finalized agreements herald a return to one of cricket’s most traditional encounters. It will be the first time an Indian team faces Pakistan on home soil since 2016.
Why Did the BCCI Select Ahmedabad for India vs Pakistan at the ODI World Cup 2023?
The match between India and Pakistan is one of the most anticipated encounters in this year’s cricket calendar. The Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad is one of India’s largest cricket grounds. Sports analysts and commentators expect a packed stadium when both hyper-archrivals clash on October 15.
India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup 2023 Full Game Schedule
India will kick off their nine-game schedule at the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 8 and play qualifying games until mid-November. The Men in Blue will face off with several top cricket nations and qualifying teams throughout this tournament.
India will expect to make full use of their home advantage against several teams. Fans expect the spaced game schedule to favor India and aid their campaign for another ODI World Cup title. See the full BCCI draft schedule for India’s ODI World Cup 2023 games below:
- India is set to face Australia on October 8 in Chennai,
- The Men in Blue will take on Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11,
- India will face archrivals Pakistan on October 15 in Ahmedabad,
- Bangladesh will take on hosts India in Pune on October 19,
- New Zealand will face India on October 22 in Dharamshala,
- India takes on England in Lucknow on October 29,
- Qualifying team plays India on November 2,
- South Africa plays India on November 5,
- Second qualifying team plays India on November 11
Pakistan ODI World Cup 2023 Game Schedule
Pakistan have a six-game schedule across popular cricket grounds in India. The Men in Green’s blockbuster encounter against hosts India scheduled for mid-October in Ahmedabad isn’t their only high-profile ODI World Cup 2023 encounter.
Pakistan will need to face two qualifying teams in India along with two other top cricket nations in October and November. Check out the full schedule of Pakistan’s mandatory games at the ODI World Cup below:
- Pakistan will play Australia on October 20 in Bengaluru,
- Another game between Pakistan and Afghanistan will take place on October 23 in Chennai,
- Pakistan will take on South Africa in Chennai on October 27,
- Bangladesh plays Pakistan in Kolkata on October 31,
- Pakistan plays New Zealand on November 5,
- England will take on Pakistan in Kolkata on November 12
