World Cup 2023
In an unprecedented move, Pakistan’s cricket team will be playing their nine league matches in just five cities during the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup in India. This distinctive schedule, which sets them apart from other teams, was revealed by the ICC and BCCI in Mumbai on Tuesday. Let’s take a closer look at Pakistan’s World Cup journey and the challenges they may face along the way.
While other teams will have their league matches spread across the ten venues of the World Cup, Pakistan will be concentrating their matches in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata. This decision sets them on a unique path, offering both advantages and potential drawbacks as they navigate through the tournament.
Pakistan’s campaign kicks off with matches against the two qualifiers from the tournament in Zimbabwe. The action begins in Hyderabad on October 6, followed by another fixture on October 12. The team then travels to Ahmedabad, where they face their fierce rivals, India, on October 15, in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter that fans across the globe are eagerly anticipating.
After the clash with India, Pakistan heads to Bengaluru to take on Australia on October 20. This match will test their mettle against one of the tournament favorites. Next, they travel to Chennai, where they face Afghanistan on October 23 and South Africa on October 27. These matches will provide a valuable opportunity for Pakistan to showcase their skills against formidable opponents.
their fixtures against Afghanistan and Australia. Specifically, they desired to play against Afghanistan in Bengaluru and Australia in Chennai. However, their request was not granted, and they will stick to the originally assigned venues for these matches.
Pakistan’s journey takes them eastward to Kolkata, where they face Bangladesh on October 31. A few days later, they return to Bengaluru for their match against New Zealand on November 4. Finally, their last league match, scheduled for the last day of the league phase, will be against England in Kolkata on November 12. If Pakistan qualifies for the semi-finals, they will once again find themselves playing in Kolkata.
To prepare for the World Cup, Pakistan has planned warm-up games against New Zealand and Australia. These matches, scheduled for September 29 and October 3 respectively, will take place in Hyderabad. They offer the team an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and gain momentum before the main event.
Amidst the excitement surrounding the World Cup, there is still uncertainty regarding Pakistan’s participation. Due to strained political relations between Pakistan and India, Pakistan has not toured India since the 2016 men’s T20 World Cup. The decision to travel to India is contingent upon the clearance from the Government of Pakistan.
PCB’s Communications Director, Sami Ul Hasan, explained that they are in constant communication with the government and will update the ICC and Event Authority as soon as they receive clearance. The final decision may be postponed until the next government takes charge, considering that the term of the ruling government in Pakistan ends in August.
The 2016 World Cup held in India serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in India-Pakistan cricket encounters. Back then, the Pakistani team faced a similar situation, and the final decision to participate was made just before the tournament. After conducting a security reconnaissance in India, the Nawaz Sharif-led government provided clearance for the team to travel, albeit at the eleventh hour.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pakistan’s unique journey adds an extra layer of intrigue to the tournament. With nine matches spread across five cities, Pakistan faces an unconventional challenge. Whether they will overcome the hurdles and make their mark on the world stage remains to be seen. Fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the battles that will unfold in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata, as Pakistan seeks to etch its name in World Cup history.
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