2023 World Cup: Chennai to host India vs Pakistan on Oct 15, England vs New Zealand to kick-start tournament

The 2019 World Cup finalists, England and New Zealand are set to open the 2023 edition at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5th. According to Cricbuzz, the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will take place on Oct 15th.

India to face Australia in their opening game

Furthermore, India are likely to play their opening match of the tournament against Australia in Chennai, while the final is set to take place on November 19th in Ahmedabad.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India will release the official schedule soon and is expected to do so after the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after obtaining the concerned permissions. As host, the BCCI will have the final say on all matters.

Pakistan agrees to play in India

As per the portal, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to tour India for the mega event, but is still believed to have raised certain concerns. The PCB has reportedly expressed qualms in facing India in Ahmedabad. However, they will play the final at the iconic venue should it reach there.

According to the tentative schedule, Pakistan will play its games in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru. Aside from Ahmedabad and its three South Zone Centres, Kolkata, Delhi, Indore, Dharamsala, Guwahati, Rajkot, Raipur and Mumbai are the designated venues with Mohali and Nagpur missing out on the list. Nevertheless, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai is likely to stage one of the two semi-finals.

The tournament has ten teams and 48 games in the World Cup, with India, England, Australia, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh having qualified for the championship, with South Africa being the last to qualify directly. Former champions West Indies and Sri Lanka will compete in a qualifying tournament in June-July in Zimbabwe.