ICC World Cup 2019: India vs Pakistan on June 16, England face Proteas in opener

Kolkata: With 400 days to go before the ICC Cricket World Cup in England kicks off, Virat Kohli-led India’s curtain-raiser in the tournament has already been confirmed. On Tuesday, it was announced that the 2011 World champions would meet South Africa on May 30 in their opening match.

According to a recent report in ESPNCricinfo, the venues for the 10-team tournament have already been confirmed.

A notable encounter in the upcoming encounter is that of an India-Pakistan clash to be played on June 16 at Old Trafford, whereas arch rivals England and Australia lock horns at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 19.

Meanwhile, another encounter every cricket fan has been waiting for is a clash between the 2015 World Cup finalists- Australia and New Zealand to be held on June 29 at Lord’s.

The upcoming tournament will consist of 10 teams, with the top eight teams automatically qualifying.

Recently, West Indies and Afghanistan booked their tickets to cricket’s premier tournament after advancing through the World Cup Qualifiers held in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC), will announce the complete schedule for the World Cup on Thursday.

"The full schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales will be announced on Thursday 26 April," an ICC press release said.

"The 10-team Cricket World Cup will be held between 30 May and 14 July next summer, and fixture details of all 48 matches will be officially revealed by the ICC tomorrow," the statement added. 

All the ten teams will play each other once, with the top four teams in the points table advancing to the semifinals. This format was last used in the 1992 edition in Australia, where Pakistan had won the trophy for the first time.

While the first semifinal will be played on July 9 at Old Trafford, the second will be held at Edgbaston on July 11. The final will be held at the Home of Cricket-Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 14.