The highly-anticipated Cricket World Cup in India is set to begin in just six months’ time, but the match schedule remains shrouded in secrecy. Unlike the previous tournament in England and Wales, where the dates and venues were announced over a year in advance, geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan have complicated matters, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yet to reveal the schedule for the 10-team event.
India has already ruled out travelling to Pakistan for the Asia Cup in September, which has resulted in organisers agreeing on a ‘hybrid’ model where matches will be played at neutral venues, in order to prevent any escalation in tensions between the neighbouring nations. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has denied making a similar demand at the ICC board meetings in Dubai last month, it has said that it may push for the hybrid model “at the proper ICC forum at the right time”.
If Pakistan agrees to travel to India, the BCCI would need to secure visa clearance from the Indian government. The BCCI has yet to obtain a tax exemption for the tournament from the Indian government, according to cricket news website cricinfo.com, which is part of the hosting agreement it signed with the ICC. If it fails to obtain the exemption, the BCCI has said the amount could be deducted from its share of the ICC’s central revenue pool.
Despite the uncertainties, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has promised to deliver a “memorable event”. In an ICC statement revealing the tournament’s brand identity on Saturday, Shah said, “We cannot wait until October to see world class cricket on show in the pinnacle event of the one-day game and for India to host an incredible spectacle.”
It has been reported by cricinfo.com that the World Cup will start on October 5, with the final scheduled to be held at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. However, with the schedule still under wraps, fans and players alike are eagerly waiting for the BCCI to make an official announcement.
The delay in announcing the match schedule is a departure from usual practice for major sporting events, and highlights the impact that geopolitical issues can have on international cricket. The situation between India and Pakistan is a reminder that the game is not immune to the political and social forces that shape the world around it. Nonetheless, cricket remains a beloved sport across the globe, and fans are hopeful that the 2023 Cricket World Cup will live up to expectations and provide a memorable event for all involved.
