Glenn McGrath predicts four teams likely to reach semi-final of 2023 ODI World Cup

Former Australia pacer Glenn McGrath shared his opinion regarding the four teams that could potentially make it to the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. Notably, the extravagant global ODI event will be played in India, slated to begin on October 5.

As teams have begun ideating and preparations for the marquee ODI event, former Aussie cricketer McGrath voiced his stance on the four heavyweights that have a fair chance of making to the last four of the event.

McGrath stated that five-time winners Australia, hosts India, defending champions England, and Babar Azam-led Pakistan are the four sides that are likely to make it to the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup.

“You wouldn’t be surprised I'm putting Australia in that four. Obviously, India are playing in their own conditions. England are playing some great cricket and Pakistan are also playing fine. So they are the best four,” McGrath said ahead of the tournament," McGrath was quoted as saying by India Today.

Speaking about the event, defending champions England will square off against New Zealand in the curtain raiser on October 5, which marks as a recap of the 2019 World Cup final. Meanwhile, hosts India will lock horns with the dominant Aussies at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, October 8.

The eagerly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India was initially scheduled to be played on October 15, at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. However, it is highly likely that the high-voltage contest between the two sides could see a change in the dates.

India likely to face Pakistan a day earlier as per revised schedule of ODI World Cup

As per reports, the two arch-rivals are likely to cross swords on October 14 at the same venue, just a day prior to the original date. In addition to this, the revised schedule could also see the Pakistan-Sri Lanka fixture being played on October 10. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have got the approval for a revised schedule from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). While no official notice has been released by the International Cricket Council (ICC), it is understood that the BCCI and the ICC could release a statement in the coming days. The summit clash of the event will be in Ahmedabad on November 19.