New Zealand will face West Indies in Cricket World Cup 2022 opener; India to start their campaign with clash against Pakistan

The hosts New Zealand will take on West Indies in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2022 on March 4 in a day-night fixture at Tauranga’s Bay Oval to kick off tournament, ICC announced as they revealed the full schedule for the global event on Wednesday (December 15). Two days later on March 6 India will face their arch rivals Pakistan in their first match to start their campaign.



ICC Cricket World Cup 2022 schedule © Women's CricZone



At the end of the ICC ODI Championship cycle between 2018-2021 four teams – Australia, India, England and South Africa - along with New Zealand automatically qualified for the global event. Rest of the three teams were to be decided from ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier that was played in Zimbabwe in November. When the Qualifier was called off due to the new COVID-19 variant and the travel restrictions came with it, ICC announced Bangladesh, Pakistan and West Indies will join the other five sides based on their team rankings to complete the line-up.





With these sides taking up the three qualifying spots, the global cricket governing body announced the full schedule for the tournament. A total of 31 matches, including 17 day-night matches, will be played across six venues in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin during the 31-day event.



ALSO READ: Laura Delany and Ireland's quest to become an ODI side to be reckoned with



The final will be played on April 3 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Hagley Oval will also host the second semi-final with Basin Reserve in Wellington scheduled to host the first semi-final.



“What better way to launch CWC22 than with a full house under lights at the Bay Oval watching White Ferns against the West Indies? It’s going to be a great day out, with some amazing opening celebrations planned before our White Fern stars, including Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr, take on the West Indies and some greats of the game like Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin,” Andrea Nelson, Cricket World Cup 2022 CEO, said.



Schedule:



Mar 4, 2022 – New Zealand v West Indies



Mar 5, 2022 – Bangladesh v South Africa



Mar 5, 2022 – Australia v England



Mar 6, 2022 – Pakistan v India



Mar 7, 2022 – New Zealand v Bangladesh



Mar 8, 2022 – Australia v Pakistan



Mar 9, 2022 – West Indies v England



Mar 10, 2022 – New Zealand v India



Mar 11, 2022 – Pakistan v South Africa



Mar 12, 2022 – West Indies v India



Mar 13, 2022 – New Zealand v Australia



Mar 14, 2022 – Pakistan v Bangladesh



Mar 14, 2022 – South Africa v England



Mar 15, 2022 – Australia v West Indies



Mar 16, 2022 – England v India



Mar 17, 2022 – New Zealand v South Africa



Mar 18, 2022 – Bangladesh v West Indies



Mar 19, 2022 – India v Australia



Mar 20, 2022 – New Zealand v England



Mar 21, 2022 – West Indies v Pakistan



Mar 22, 2022 – South Africa v Australia



Mar 22, 2022 – India v Bangladesh



Mar 24, 2022 – South Africa v West Indies



Mar 24, 2022 – England v Pakistan



Mar 25, 2022 – Bangladesh v Australia



Mar 26, 2022 – New Zealand v Pakistan



Mar 27, 2022 – England v Bangladesh



Mar 27, 2022 – India v South Africa



Mar 30, 2022 – Semi-Final 1



Mar 31, 2022 – Semi-Final 2



Apr 3, 2022 – FINAL