ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: What Is The Round-Robin Format? The much-anticipated roadmap for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has finally been unveiled. On June 27, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the official schedule. A series of 48 matches, set to commence on October 5 and conclude on November 19, will be hosted across 10 remarkable venues in India.
The stage is set for an exciting start to the tournament. We’ll see a thrilling rematch of the 2019 final as defending champions England lock horns with runners-up New Zealand. The world will watch this epic contest unfold at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Moreover, this same stadium will host the ever-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on October 15 and the World Cup final.
A total of 10 nations will grace the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Eight have already secured their spots, while the remaining two will be determined via the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 Qualifiers in Zimbabwe, wrapping up on July 9. The format for this World Cup stays consistent with the 2019 edition, comprising a round-robin and knockout stage.
During the round-robin stage, the ten teams face each other once. This means each team gets a shot at nine matches in the first round. This dynamic format ensures a fair, competitive battleground for all participants.
Following the round-robin stage, the semi-final contenders are determined. The top four teams in the points table will march onto the knockout stage. The first semi-final sees the teams in first and fourth place battling it out. Similarly, the second semi-final features the sides that finish second and third in the league stage. The victors of these high-stakes semi-finals will ultimately clash in the World Cup 2023 final on November 19.
Roadmap to ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: Venues, Schedule, and Format Unveiled
The prestigious Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will host the first semi-final on November 15, followed by the second at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 16. The final, however, return to Ahmedabad, completing the cycle begun at the start of the tournament.
While this format in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is consistent with the 2019 World Cup, it contrasts with previous editions. For instance, the 2015 World Cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand, was contested by 14 teams divided into two groups. This was also the case in the 2011 World Cup held in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
The 2007 edition in the West Indies adopted a different approach, dividing sixteen teams into four groups. The top two from each group moved forward to the Super 8 round. The 1999 World Cup in England and the 2003 World Cup in South Africa followed similar formats.
The countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has officially begun. As fans, we eagerly await the thrilling performances that will unfold across the country. We can only hope for a tournament filled with unforgettable moments, a testament to the game’s spirit, and a celebration of cricket like never before.
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