India took on Australia in the last international match played in Kashmir on September 9, 1986.
Kashmir valley is upbeat with the possibility of hosting an ICC Cricket World Cup fixture for the first time.
While Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium has hosted an international match twice in the past, both of them One Day Internationals (ODIs), the last of those was played in the year 1986 between India and Australia on September 9.
The only other match which was played here was on October 13, 1983 between India and West Indies.
On both those instances, however, India had failed to taste a win with the legendary West Indian pair of Desmond Haynes (55*) and Gordon Greenidge (44* ) guiding the Men from the Carribean to a win in the first match and an Allan-Border (90*) masterclass taking Australia to a thrilling 3-wicket win in the second game.
India set to be solo host of an ODI World Cup for first time
It is pertinent to note that ODI World Cup 2023 will be the 13th edition of the ICC event and even though India has hosted the competition in the past, this will be the first instance of the country being the solo host of the marquee event. The tournament will be played in October-November with the final set to be played on 26 November 2023.
A total of 48 matches will be played at this event and as per sources, one of the matches during the final leg of the event, could be held in Srinagar. As many as 10 teams will fight for the World Cup title in India. With India, Australia and England- the last three World Cup winners in the ODI format- all having won in their home conditions, the Men in Blue would start the competition as favourites to go all the way.
Even though the final schedule of the global competition hasn’t yet been announced by the ICC, it is confirmed that the final will be played at the world’s largest cricket stadium- the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 26.