In a momentous occasion for cricket enthusiasts, the ICC Cricket World Cup welcomed its one-millionth fan at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the match between South Africa and Afghanistan on Friday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, expressed happiness at this significant milestone and extended gratitude to fans, state associations, and every stakeholder for their dedication.
The ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is poised to become the most attended ICC tournament ever, with the one-millionth fan entering the gates during the South Africa vs. Afghanistan match. Narendra Modi Stadium, the venue for the World Cup final on November 19, witnessed this historic moment.
Shah took to Twitter to share his joy, stating, “Our vision was to make this World Cup the greatest ever, and I am truly delighted that we have broken all previous records. My sincere thanks to our devoted fans, the State Associations, and every stakeholder who worked tirelessly in the run-up to this mega event. The best is yet to come!”
As the tournament progresses into the crucial knockout stage, the excitement is set to continue with the upcoming semi-finals on November 15 and 16, followed by the final on November 19. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has already broken multiple viewership and digital records, showcasing the enduring appeal of the ODI format.
ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley hailed the success of the tournament and anticipates more records being shattered during the knockout stage. He remarked, “As we look ahead to the knockout stages, we look forward to this event breaking more records and showcasing the best about cricket in one day.”
The final league-stage match between India and the Netherlands is scheduled in Bengaluru on Sunday. The semifinals will take place on November 15 and 16 at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. India, South Africa, and Australia have secured their spots in the semifinals, while Pakistan and New Zealand vie for the last spot. The grand final will unfold at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19.