The most anticipated India vs Pakistan match of the ICC World Cup 2023 which was earlier scheduled to be played on 15 October will now be played on October 14 as per the reports due to concerns regarding security.
ICC has already announced the venues and schedule of the ODI World Cup. The tournament will start from October 5, when defending champions England will lock horns against New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Team India is scheduled to face their arch-rival Pakistan in the mega event of the World Cup. The schedule has already been finalised and announced by the ICC in the previous month but there could be a slight change in the date for one of the most iconic clashes of the tournament this year.
According to a report by Indian Express, the date for India vs Pakistan clash could be changed as October 15 marks the first day of ‘Navratri’, a festival celebrated with night-long Garba dance, particularly in the state of Gujarat.
The report states that agencies have advised the BCCI to reschedule the game due to security concerns. “We are mulling the options that we have and a decision will be taken soon. We have been told by the security agencies that a high-profile game like India vs Pakistan, for which thousands of traveling fans are expected to reach Ahmedabad, should be avoided since they will be stretched because of Navratri,” a source told the Indian Express.
If the game between India and Pakistan gets rescheduled, it could turn into a real logistical nightmare. Many fans have already made concrete travel plans centered around the original match dates, and reports from local media even indicate that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) have inquired about bed availability in Ahmedabad hospitals before and after the night game.
The potential rescheduling is likely to trigger a wave of hotel booking cancellations, as fans will have to adjust their plans accordingly. Surprisingly, even though there are just over two months left until the tournament’s opener (scheduled between England and New Zealand in Ahmedabad), there’s been no update on ticket sales, which is adding to the frustration of cricket enthusiasts.
If the India-Pakistan clash, arguably one of the most anticipated games of the group stage, gets moved, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should brace itself for a social media storm of outraged fans expressing their disappointment and concerns.
According to the Indian Express report, it appears that BCCI Secretary, Jay Shah, is taking proactive steps to address the potential India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming World Cup. He has reached out to the hosting venues’ members, summoning them for a crucial meeting in New Delhi on July 27 (Thursday). The primary objective of this meeting is to facilitate discussions and make informed decisions regarding this high-staking match.
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