As the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 approaches, the captains of all ten participating teams convened at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for Captain’s Day, marking the commencement of the tournament. Over the next 45 days, cricket enthusiasts will be treated to 48 matches across ten venues in India as they eagerly await the crowning of a new world champion.

Surprisingly, Captain’s Day did not dominate headlines or social media discussions in a cricket-crazy nation. Instead, the spotlight was on Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra’s participation in the men’s javelin throw final at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. Nevertheless, as defending champions England prepare to face New Zealand in the opening match, the cricket fever is expected to grip the nation once more.

Mark Nicholas, the incoming president of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), suggested that ODIs should be exclusively reserved for World Cups. He argued that it is becoming increasingly challenging to justify bilateral ODIs as they fail to attract large crowds in many countries. T20 cricket has surged in popularity and financial power, potentially overshadowing the ODI format.

Since the 2019 ODI World Cup in England and Wales, T20 franchise cricket leagues have flourished, with new leagues like The Hundred in England and SA20 in South Africa emerging. The International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE, despite not having List A status, attracted renowned cricketing stars. Additionally, T10 leagues offer quick financial rewards, attracting players seeking lucrative opportunities.

The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, hosted by India from October 5 to November 19, will feature ten teams competing for the coveted title. The participating teams are:

1. Australia
2. Bangladesh
3. England
4. India
5. Ireland
6. New Zealand
7. Pakistan
8. South Africa
9. Sri Lanka
10. West Indies
11. Blockbuster Opener

The tournament will kick off with a blockbuster clash between the 2019 finalists England and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5.

SuperSport will be broadcasting all 48 matches of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 live on SuperSport Cricket, Grandstand, and Action channels. The broadcast feed will include:

30-minute build-up featuring the live toss, captains’ interviews, pitch report, and team/player features
Change of innings interval programme, including a review of the first innings and a preview of the second
Wrap-up show including the captains’ chat, a brief round-up of the match, and a look ahead to the next match
Previous Winners

In the run-up to the highly anticipated ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, Team India is gearing up for two crucial warm-up matches against formidable opponents. These warm-up fixtures not only provide India with the ideal platform to hone their skills and assess their readiness but also offer fans an enticing glimpse into the form and potential of their favorite teams and players.

The chosen venues for these warm-up clashes include Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Hyderabad, ensuring accessibility for fans across India. The excitement is set to unfold at 2:00 PM IST, and cricket enthusiasts can catch every electrifying moment through live coverage on the Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar.

The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad will witness two thrilling encounters. On September 29, New Zealand and Pakistan will square off, setting the stage for their World Cup campaigns. The excitement continues on October 3 as Pakistan takes on Australia, promising a high-stakes battle between these cricketing giants.

Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium promises cricketing fervor, commencing with the clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka on September 29. On September 30, fans can look forward to a captivating match between India and England, followed by England facing Bangladesh on October 2. The warm-up action in Guwahati reaches its climax on October 3, as Afghanistan locks horns with Sri Lanka in an intense showdown.

Pakistan is all set to make its mark in the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in India in October and November. The Inzamam-ul-Haq-led national men’s selection committee has unveiled their 15-player squad, emphasizing continuity and confidence in the current roster. There is only one change, and it was a forced one, compared to the squad that represented Pakistan in the recent Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023.

In an unfortunate turn of events, fast bowler Naseem Shah has been replaced by Hasan Ali due to a shoulder injury sustained during a match against India on 11 September in the Asia Cup. Medical assessments and consultations with top experts have led to the recommendation of surgery for Naseem, with an estimated recovery time of three to four months.

Here is the 15-member squad representing Pakistan in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023:

• Babar Azam (Captain)
• Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain)
• Fakhar Zaman
• Imam ul Haq
• Abdullah Shafique
• Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
• Agha Salman
• Saud Shakeel
• Iftikhar Ahmed
• Mohammad Nawaz
• Usama Mir
• Shaheen Afridi
• Haris Rauf
• Hasan Ali
• Mohammad Wasim Jr

Travelling Reserves

• Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper)
• Zaman Khan
• Abrar Ahmed

Before diving into the World Cup competition, Pakistan will face two warm-up matches. They will take on New Zealand on 29 September and clash with Australia on 3 October. The official tournament journey begins with Pakistan’s opening match against the Netherlands on 6 October.

Former Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi Announces Team for ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023

In a recent revelation, Shahid Afridi, former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has disclosed the lineup for Pakistan’s squad participating in the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. The tournament is scheduled to be held in India during October and November.

During an interview with a local media channel, Afridi highlighted the inclusion of players who have been absent from the Pakistan squad for an extended period. Among these players are the versatile all-rounder Imad Wasim and the pace duo of Hassan Ali and Arshad Iqbal.

Afridi commended Imad Wasim for his outstanding all-around performance and stressed the importance of having a bowler of his caliber, particularly his effectiveness with the new ball, which can prove vital when fast bowlers are facing challenging conditions.

“We will have two types of tracks, either we’ll get a seaming track or a very flat track. Look, the thing is we already have spinners. Sometimes, if a fast bowler is not bowling well and is being bashed, then you need a bowler like Imad Wasim who can be a very dangerous bowler with the new ball,” Afridi explained.

He also expressed confidence in Imad’s batting abilities and praised his ability to handle pressure, emphasizing his seniority and extensive cricketing experience.

Shahid Afridi had words of admiration for Arshad Iqbal, highlighting his assertive and aggressive bowling style as a crucial asset to the team.

“Arshad Iqbal possesses very strong qualities as a very robust bowler. He bowls with aggression, and on those pitches, you need a bowler who bowls with strong pace,” Afridi concluded.

In their quest to surpass their 2019 Final appearance, New Zealand has unveiled their 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The announcement took place at Papatoetoe High School in Auckland, which holds special significance as the alma mater of leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, a key member of the selected squad.

The 30-year-old Ish Sodhi joins the squad alongside skipper Kane Williamson, who recently made a quicker-than-expected recovery from a ruptured ACL during the 2023 IPL. Both Williamson and seasoned fast bowler Tim Southee have secured spots in their fourth World Cup campaign.

Mark Chapman, displaying strong form across the two white-ball formats, earned his place in the squad. Additionally, 23-year-old spin-bowling all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who impressed with a performance of 3/48 against England in the first of four ODIs, has also been included.

The squad selection came with tough decisions, resulting in the exclusion of young top-order batter Finn Allen and backup wicket-keeper Tim Seifert. Tom Latham has been chosen as the sole wicket-keeper. Unfortunately, Adam Milne, who suffered a recent hamstring injury during New Zealand’s tour of England, did not make the cut.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledged the challenges of finalizing the squad but expressed confidence in the blend of youth and experience they have assembled for the tournament in India.

Stead stated, “It’s always a special time to name a tournament team, and I’d like to congratulate the 15 players selected today. It’s a great honor to represent your country at a World Cup. From Kane and Tim heading to their fourth tournament to the guys selected for the first time, it’s always a very exciting time.”

He added, “As with any squad named for an ICC tournament, there have been some tough calls and there will be some disappointed players. The key for us was finding the right balance for the squad and making sure we had our bases covered for what is going to be a very competitive tournament.”

The New Zealand squad is set to face England and Bangladesh in ODIs before encountering England once again in a highly anticipated rematch of the 2019 Final, serving as the World Cup opener on October 5th.

India has officially announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, set to be held on home turf. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed the squad on Tuesday, generating significant buzz among cricket enthusiasts.

In a major development, KL Rahul has made a remarkable comeback and secured his place in the squad. Despite suffering a thigh injury earlier in the year during the IPL, Rahul’s dedication and rigorous training at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru have paid off. He is expected to join the Indian team during the latter stages of the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka. With Rahul’s inclusion, some notable players like Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Prasidh Krishna unfortunately missed the cut.

Captain Rohit Sharma will lead the batting lineup, supported by the likes of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav. Additionally, Ishan Kishan brings another wicketkeeping option to the table.

The squad showcases India’s all-round depth, with Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Shardul Thakur all making the cut. This emphasis on all-rounders bolsters India’s batting options and adds versatility to the team.

Jasprit Bumrah, who showed no signs of injury upon his return, will spearhead the bowling department. He will be supported by the pace duo of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, likely to be the first-choice fast bowlers. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav is the leading option.