The India vs Pakistan ICC ODI World Cup 2023 game set for October 15 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is probably going to be rescheduled.
Security agencies, it is learned, have asked the BCCI to modify the schedule. This has been asked as the International Cricket Council (ICC) scheduled the tournament’s most anticipated game on the first day of Navratri, a holiday celebrated with widespread participation at garba evenings throughout Gujarat.
Fans who have already made travel arrangements for the game, whose tickets sell out in a matter of hours, would face a logistical nightmare if the date is changed. The IND vs PAK game generally generate record-breaking TRPs for broadcasters.
“We are mulling the options that we have and a decision will be taken soon.” A top BCCI official who wished to remain anonymous told The Indian Express that the security agencies had advised against holding a high-profile match like India vs Pakistan because the crowds would be stretched thin due to Navratri. Thousands of travelling fans are expected to arrive in Ahmedabad for the game.
Also Read: World Cup 2023 Preps in FULL Might, BCCI forms 2 sub-committees to ENSURE smooth tournament
The roughly 1 lakh-seat Narendra Modi Stadium received four major matches when the ICC released the World Cup schedule late last month: the tournament’s opening match between New Zealand and England, India vs Pakistan, England vs Australia, and the championship match.
The competition will take place in ten cities, with Mumbai and Kolkata hosting the semifinals.
India vs Pakistan: Rescheduling Chaos
According to reports from Ahmedabad, all homestay choices have been used up and most hotels are already overbooked for mid-October. Additionally, a rise in airfare is anticipated.
In the event that a new date for the India-Pakistan game is revealed, massive cancellation and crazed booking are likely to occur.
In the meantime, on Tuesday evening, BCCI secretary Jay Shah sent a letter to the organisations organising World Cup games inviting them to a meeting on July 27 in New Delhi. It has been heard that the board may inform the members of the match’s revised date as well as the security issues in the area of Ahmedabad.
“I feel it will be in the best interest of all concerned that we meet again to exchange notes and take stock of any issue which needs discussion and decision. Accordingly, you are hereby requested to attend a meeting of the World Cup hosting associations,” the letter sent to all state associations states.
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow World Cup 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
