The ICC World Cup 2023 kicked off without the fanfare of an opening ceremony, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to make up for it with a musical spectacle. This grand event is set to precede one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, the India vs Pakistan face-off, scheduled to take place at the awe-inspiring Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmadabad, India, on October 14.
Indian media outlets have been buzzing with reports about this extravagant musical ceremony. It is slated to occur just hours before the titanic clash between the cricketing giants. The Narendra Modi Stadium, known for being the largest cricket ground in the world, is poised to host a glittering array of high-profile Bollywood celebrities who are expected to grace the occasion with their presence.
What Is the Golden Ticket?
Anil Patel, the secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), confirmed that the esteemed golden ticket-holders will be in attendance to witness the game that the world is waiting for. These golden tickets, symbolizing prestige and honor, have been exclusively bestowed upon luminaries such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rajinikanth, and Amitabh Bachchan by the BCCI at the commencement of the tournament. Furthermore, the melodious notes of Arijit Singh are set to enchant the audience during this star-studded event.
When will pre-match ceremony begin?
The anticipation for the India vs. Pakistan match is immense, with a host of VIPs expected to grace the occasion, as reported by IndiaToday. The Bollywood extravaganza will kick off at 12:40 PM (IST) on the day of the game and culminate by 1:10 PM. Adding an extra layer of charm, young children will serve as mascots, escorting the competing teams onto the field, creating an enchanting spectacle.
In a cross-border exchange, approximately 20-25 Pakistani journalists will also be making the journey to cover this high-profile match. Anil Patel assured that all the necessary approvals and arrangements have been made to ensure a seamless and grand event.
Meanwhile, as per media reports, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Zaka Ashraf is set to journey to India in the coming days, following the grant of an Indian visa for the match. This further underscores the magnitude of this clash of titans.
It’s essential to note that the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, have met seven times in ICC World Cup history, with the latter having a record they’d rather forget—seven consecutive losses to their formidable opponents. However, having secured victories against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in the ongoing World Cup, Babar Azam and his squad are determined to change their fortune and end the losing streak against their arch-rivals in this mega event. The stage is set, and the world awaits this epic showdown of cricketing prowess.
Where to watch Pakistan vs India pre-match ceremony?
| COUNTRY | BROADCASTING CHANNELS & LIVE STREAMING |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Ariana TV, Ariana News, Ariana TV website, SportsAfghan-Wireless.com |
| Australia | Fox Sports 501, Channel 9 HD, 9Gem HD, FoxtelGo, FoxtelNOW, Kayo, 9Now |
| Bangladesh | GTV, BTV, T Sports, Rabbithole |
| Canada | Willow TV, Disney+ Hotstar |
| Caribbean Islands | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Play Caribbean |
| Central & South America and Mexico | ESPN+ |
| Continental Europe and SEA (excluding Singapore) | YuppTV |
| Hong Kong | Astro Cricket via NowTV, YuppTV |
| India | Star Sports 1 (HD+HD), Star Sports 1 Hindi (SD+HD), Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, Star Sports 1 Kannada, Star Sports 2 (HD+SD), Disney+ Hotstar |
| Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan | Star Sports 1 (HD+HD), Star Sports 1 Hindi (SD+HD), Star Sports 1 Tamil, Star Sports 1 Telugu, Star Sports 1 Kannada, Star Sports 2 (HD+SD), Yupp TV |
| Malaysia | Astro Cricket, Yupp TV |
| MENA | CricLife, CricLife Max, StarzPlay, Switch TV |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport |
| Pacific Islands | TVWAN Action, TVWAN Sports, Digicel app |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, www.ptvsports.pk, Daraz, Tapmad, Jazz, A-Sports, ARY ZAP |
| Singapore | HubSports 4, HubSports 5, StarHub TV+ (Simulcast of linear channels) |
| Sri Lanka | Sirasa TV, Dialog TV, Event TV, Kiki.lk, Kiki app |
| South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport Grandstand, SuperSport Cricket, SuperSport app |
| UK | Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Mix, SkyGO, Sky Sports App |
| USA | WillowTV, ESPN+ app |
