ODI World Cup: ICC Reveals Tournament Schedule, India-Pakistan Match on 15 October, Finals on 19 November

With only 100 days left to the start of the Cricket ODI World Cup, the ICC (International Cricket Council), announced the event schedule covering 10 cities. The tournament will open with a bang, as India and Pakistan will take on each other along with England vs Australia to the end from 5 October to 19 November 2019. The semifinal may take place either in Kolkata or Mumbai for Indian cricket team. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will see 4 important games of the tourney as well.

Certain regions were not considered for World Cup venues because of the possibility of anti-nation sentiments, such as Mohali, where pro-Khalistan groups are rampant and may stage protests. There were a few controversies surrounding why Ahmedabad was getting so many matches to be held, unlike Kerala. Many people associate the reason with Jay Shah becoming the BCCI secretary in 2019, reflecting the power equation in the board of selectors for the team.

India will face tough competition on 8 October against Australia in Chennai. The latter team is a five-time champion. But the country is wishing to clinch the title this time just like how it was back in 2011, under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Virendra Sehwag said that everyone is anticipating a game between Pakistan and India on 15 October, and even he is unsure what will happen on that day. However, the win will come to the team that handles the pressure well.

Pakistan will play in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad.  A top official from BCCI had said that if India plays against Pakistan in the semifinal, it will take place in Kolkata. But f the nation plays any other team, then the venue will be Mumbai. It is because, after the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai, the authorities have been not in favor of Pakistan playing in Mumbai.

In the World Cup, a total of 10 teams will compete. The confirmed participants are India, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The remaining 2 teams will be confirmed after the completion of the World Cup Qualifiers happening presently in Zimbabwe. The qualifiers feature West Indies, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Oman, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Nepal, Scotland, the US, and the UAE.