The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its selection of the five most anticipated matches in the upcoming World Cup 2023.
With the ODI World Cup just around the corner and teams gearing up for the event, the ICC has shared its list of the key matches that fans should keep an eye on. This announcement comes shortly after the release of the full tournament schedule.
Considering that each team will play nine matches in the league stage, avoiding too many missteps is crucial. The primary objective will be to secure a spot in the top four and qualify for the semi-finals.
The matches on this list could play a significant role in determining which four teams make it through and which teams see their World Cup dreams come to an early end.
Here are the ICC’s picks for the matches to watch out for:
The highly awaited India vs Pakistan match in the World Cup 2023 will take place on October 15
India vs Pakistan – Ahmedabad – October 15
Whenever India and Pakistan face off, it’s always a highly anticipated event. The stakes are even higher when one of these teams hosts the match. The pressure is immense, even in the early stages of tournaments.
Pakistan’s dominant 10-wicket victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup had a major impact on India’s campaign. In recent ODI World Cups, India has had the upper hand, defeating their rivals in the last three editions.
However, with the Pakistani team, led by Babar Azam, in excellent form and posing a serious threat, both teams could gain a psychological advantage in front of the record-breaking crowd at Motera ground.
England vs New Zealand – Ahmedabad – October 5
The tournament opener will be a rematch of the thrilling 2019 World Cup final, which remains one of the most memorable matches in World Cup history. The Kiwis came incredibly close to winning but lost due to a controversial boundary count rule, which has since been abolished.
Both teams have undergone changes since then, but they remain high-quality white-ball sides that understand the importance of starting the tournament strong.
England will be led by Jos Buttler, while New Zealand hopes for the return of Kane Williamson to boost their leadership and middle-order batting.
India vs Australia – Chennai – October 8
This match will mark the beginning of the tournament for the Indian team, as they aim to win on home soil at Chepauk. Australia, in their yellow jerseys, will try to play the role of spoilers but face a tough challenge on a slow, spin-friendly pitch that suits the Indian team, which could field up to four spinners.
However, Australia’s number one ranking in ODIs is well-deserved, and their batting lineup, featuring players like Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, can quickly change the game’s dynamics in just 20 balls. This tightly contested battle will set the tone for both teams’ World Cup campaigns.
Australia vs South Africa – Lucknow – October 13
This World Cup presents an opportunity for South Africa to redeem themselves after a difficult 2019 edition, where they won only three out of their nine matches. Their approach to ODI cricket has undergone significant changes since then, and they now have Temba Bavuma as their captain.
South Africa’s batting will be under pressure in what could be a low-scoring match if the pitch at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium performs similarly to the IPL. Both teams’ pace attacks will need to be at their best. The battle between Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje against Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will be one to watch.
Bangladesh vs Afghanistan – Dharamsala – October 7
Bangladesh and Afghanistan will face off in their tournament opener at Dharamsala on October 7. It is considered as dark horses for the World Cup, particularly because the playing conditions suit their style.
They have proven to be a tough team to defeat on favorable surfaces and have the ability to defeat stronger teams on the right day. Although Bangladesh is expected to win this match, Afghanistan possesses enough talent and skill to potentially cause an upset in Dharamsala.
Bangladesh aims to establish a strong foundation for their playoff run in the lengthy tournament, but Afghanistan could begin their journey as giant-killers right from the first game, especially if Rashid Khan performs exceptionally.
The ICC did not include some other significant matches in their list. One of them is the clash between England and Australia in Ahmedabad on November 4. This match between the Ashes rivals could potentially determine qualification for at least one, if not both, teams and is expected to be a highly intense and thrilling encounter.
Additionally, England will face India in Lucknow on October 29, a match that holds similar significance. The two teams had a memorable tied match in the 2011 World Cup, and this upcoming encounter could offer similar excitement. The penultimate match of the league stages, England vs Pakistan, is anticipated by fans for its potential for pure dramatic spectacle.
India’s match against New Zealand in Dharamsala is significant as it provides India with an opportunity to overcome the demons from their 2019 semifinal defeat and establish their dominance against the team that eliminated them.
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