ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule: Cricket lovers all over the world are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the official schedule of 2023 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, set to be hosted in India later this year, most likely in October-November. The official schedule, which might get released by next week in all likelihood, has not been announced till date, reportedly due to constant demand for changes in the draft schedule by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). India has no objections to the draft schedule. As reported by InsideSport, an official of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed his displeasure about PCB requesting two major changes in their matchups, resulting in further delaying the release of the ODI World Cup schedule.
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"PCB can say whatever they like. But the fact is that PCB is responsible for the delay in announcing the schedule. First, Pakistan were not ready to play in Ahmedabad, now they are not ready to play in Chennai. They are always insecure," a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.IN .
In the draft schedule sent by BCCI to ICC, PCB reportedly demanded a change in venue of their two matches. PCB demanded for organizing their one match against spin heavy Afghanistan somewhere else but not in a spin-friendly track Chennai and another match against India somewhere else instead of Ahmedabad. Pakistan wants to face Australia in Chennai and Afghanistan in Bengaluru. BCCI is unwilling to make any changes to the proposed schedule and now ICC is mediating between the two boards.
"The suggestion is to ask the ICC/BCCI to reschedule Pakistan’s matches and play Afghanistan in Bengaluru and Australia in Chennai to the team’s strength," the source claimed as per InsideSport.IN .
"A member board can push for a venue change due to safety reasons like Pakistan did in 2016 when they travelled India for the T20 World Cup. If you start expressing reservations over a venue as per your team’s strengths and weaknesses on the field, then it becomes very tough to finalise the schedule."
The official schedule of the ODI World Cup can be announced by the ICC in the coming week. The tournament might start from October 5 with England and New Zealand squaring off in the tournament opener. Hosts India might start their WC campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai. The semi-finals of the ODI World Cup will most likely be played on 15th and 16th November while the summit clash might take place on 19th November.