The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided in the favour of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over its demand regarding the warm-up matches in upcoming World Cup 2023.
The PCB reportedly had no interest in facing Afghanistan in the warm-up matches ahead of the mega tournament to be hosted by India in October.
In a note to the ICC, the PCB said that the Men in Green would have already faced the neighbouring country during the Asia Cup before World Cup and requested of playing a non-Asian team.
After the schedule for the mega event was announced on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Pakistan’s warm-up games will be against New Zealand and Australia on September 29 and October 3 in Hyderabad. This means that they won’t be facing any Asian team ahead of the tournament.
The day match which will start at 10:00am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 01:30pm (PST).
Eight teams have qualified for the event through the Cricket World Cup Super League while the final two spots will be taken by the finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier taking place in Zimbabwe.
If the West Indies qualify, they will be Q1 irrespective of where they finish in the Qualifiers.
If Sri Lanka qualify, they will be Q2 irrespective of where they finish in the Qualifiers.
If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata.
If India qualify for the semifinals, they will play in Mumbai unless playing against Pakistan, in which case they will play in Kolkata.
The tournament will be played in the round-robin format with all teams playing against each other for a total of 45 league matches.
The top four teams will qualify for the semifinals, which will be held in Mumbai on November 15 and in Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and the final will have reserve days.
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