ODI World Cup schedule to be announced during WTC final

The dates and venues for this year's ODI World Cup in India will be revealed around the World Test championship final (June 7-12) between India and Australia, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Saturday (May 27).

It remains unusual that a schedule has not been announced for the 50-over showpiece event expected to be held in October-November. How to accommodate Pakistan remains the main cause of delay.

The BCCI is looking to work out a plan to play arch-rivals and Asia Cup hosts Pakistan at a neutral venue in September. Pakistan have threatened to boycott the World Cup in India if the cricketing powerhouse refuse to feature in the Asia Cup.

"The venues for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will be decided at a press conference during the ICC World Test Championship final," Jay Shah said in a statement after a meeting on the eve of the Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad. 

"The complete schedule for the tournament will also be revealed," he said, adding that they were looking at all the major cities as venues for the tournament, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. 

The BCCI is also planning to work on the infrastructure and other facilities of these venues before the mega event.

Meanwhile, the fate of the Asia Cup is expected to be decided on the sidelines of the IPL final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans.

Shah, who is also president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has invited the cricket board presidents of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka to the IPL final where they will discuss the tournament details.

"The future of the Asia Cup 2023 will be decided once we have a meeting with the ACC members (Test-playing nations) and the Associate nations," said Shah.

(With inputs from AFP)