If the Indian cricket board has its way, the high octane India Vs Pakistan match in the upcoming 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled for October-November in India, will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
This would be the first match between India and Pakistan on Indian soil since 2016.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to host the “biggest ticket in world cricket” at the Ahmedabad stadium in anticipation of a huge gathering of fans expected for the fixture, Indian Express reported.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricketing arena, has a seating capacity of over 100,000.
The World Cup schedule will be announced by the BCCI with a grand launch once the Indian Premier League gets over. As per the report, the 50-over World Cup is likely to begin from October 5, with Bengaluru, Indore, Rajkot, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai and Dharamshala being shortlisted as venues even for practice sessions.
The only possible hitch in this is that earlier reports have suggested that Pakistan’s games in the mega tournament would be likely take place in Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, owing to security reasons.
The Indian team is reported to have requested BCCI to allot matches against South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia to the venues which could be friendly for spinners in order to maximize the so-called home advantage. A source in the BCCI is quoted by IE as saying: “Indian team wanted to have a home advantage so the team management had requested the board to schedule India’s matches against top teams on slow pitches.”
The BCCI has decided to upgrade stadiums across the country before the World Cup and has earmarked funds to the tune of Rs 500 crore. BCCI secretary Jay Shah had earlier said that the board would boost infrastructure with clean seats, easy access and clean toilets being top priorities.
