Online Reporter
The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday unveiled the schedule for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 at a spectacular ceremony in Cape Town, officially setting the countdown in motion to the world’s biggest ODI cricket event as the ticket ballot opened to fans across the globe.
Under the banner of “Three Nations, One Heartbeat”, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will come together to host a World Cup that will unite fans across the region and around the world through a shared passion for cricket.
Held at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA), the ceremony marked the official one-year countdown to the tournament and brought together representatives of the ICC, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the three host nations.
The 14-team tournament will feature 57 matches across 12 venues in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from 2 October to 21 November 2027.
The tournament will burst into life with a blockbuster opening weekend, headlined by a heavyweight clash between defending champions Australia and 2023 finalists India on 7 October.
The two cricketing power-houses will open the tournament matches at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, with the highly anticipated encounter.
World Cup fever will then sweep across the three host nations. On 8 October, Afghanistan will take on Pakistan in Centurion, while England face Bangladesh in Windhoek.
Co-hosts Zimbabwe will mark their return to the Men’s Cricket World Cup after a 12-year absence when they take on Qualifier-A at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday, 9 October. In Cape Town, South Africa will begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand at Newlands.
The opening weekend will reach a crescendo on Sunday, 10 October, when traditional rivals India and Pakistan renew their iconic competitiveness at Wanderers Stadium. In Windhoek, Sri Lanka will also begin their World Cup campaign against Qualifier-B, bringing the opening weekend to a thrilling close.
Zimbabwe will break new ground at the Mosi-oa-Tunya Stadium at the iconic Victoria Falls when they host India in Match 33.
The semi-finals will take place in Cape Town and Centurion on 17 and 18 November respectively, before Johannesburg’s iconic cityscape provides the backdrop for the 21 November final, bringing the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 to a spectacular close in the City of Gold. — Cricinfo.
