Pakistan team will lock horns with arch-rivals India at the 'controversial' venue of Gujarat, ESPNcricinfo reported while revealing the draft schedule of the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023.
The report claimed that despite the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)'s reservations over playing their match against India at Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad, Pakistan vs India clash during the World Cup will take place there.
The draft schedule, as per the report, has been sent to the International Cricket Council (ICC). Now, all the participating member boards will share their feedback on the schedule before the final announcement.
As per the proposed schedule, Pakistan will play their group-stage matches across five venues. Apart from Ahmedabad, Pakistan will meet Qualifying teams on October 6 and 12 in Hyderabad, Australia in Bengaluru (October 20), Afghanistan (October 23) and South Africa (October 27) in Chennai, Bangladesh in Kolkata (October 31), New Zealand in Bengaluru (November 5, day match) and England in Kolkata (November 12).
Meanwhile, India will play their matches on all nine venues finalised for the mega event. They will start their campaign against Australia on October 8 in Chennai.
The tournament's opener will be played between England (defending champions) and New Zealand (ICC World Cup 2019 finalists) on October 5.
The venues of the semi-finals haven't been known so far, however, the final is set to be played in Ahmedabad on November 19.