Geoff Allardice, the Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council (ICC), has stated that the ICC is aiming to release the complete schedule for the men’s 2023 ODI World Cup as soon as possible. The tournament, hosted by India, is expected to commence in four months, but the venues and fixtures are yet to be confirmed.
In comparison, the schedule for the 2019 ODI World Cup was announced 13 months before the opening game, while the schedule for the 2015 tournament was released a full 18 months in advance. However, for the upcoming World Cup, the fixtures remain unknown. While there were reports in March indicating a potential schedule from October 5 to November 19, the ICC has not officially confirmed any dates.
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BCCI Secretary Jay Shah had previously mentioned that the schedule would be unveiled during the ongoing World Test Championship final. However, Allardice did not commit to that timeline during an interview. It is now understood that the fixtures may not be made public until the following week.
Allardice explained that the ICC is currently in the process of receiving the schedule from the hosts and conducting consultations with the participating teams and broadcasters. Once all necessary discussions are completed, the schedule will be published. The ICC works closely with the host countries and undergoes various consultations with cricket authorities and governments to ensure a successful event.
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When asked if Pakistan’s willingness to play in India affected the delay in announcing the fixtures, Allardice declined to provide further details. He mentioned that he is waiting to see the schedule and expects to receive it in the next couple of days. The ICC events team is experienced in organizing cricket events worldwide and focuses on the aspects within their control. Once the schedule is received, they will proceed promptly to ensure the smooth progression of the event.