Crucial ODI World Cup match between India and Pakistan could be rescheduled after clash with major festival
CRICKET fans might face a logistical nightmare as a marquee match could be rescheduled not to clash with a major festival.
The India–Pakistan ODI World Cup fixture could be advanced by a day to October 14, due to the opening day of Navratri celebrations.
Security agencies have expressed concerns over logistical issues as both events would take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could be going ahead with the move despite the tickets already being sold out, ESPNcricinfo reported.
As well as skyrocketing airfares, some passionate fans have reportedly resorted to booking hospital beds in the city to avoid expensive hotels.
The Board is expected to have a meeting with all the state associations hosting the matches on July 27 before a final call is taken.
“We are mulling the options that we have and a decision will be taken soon,” a top BCCI official told The Indian Express.
“We have been told by the security agencies that a high-profile game like India vs Pakistan, for which thousands of travelling fans are expected to reach Ahmedabad, should be avoided since they will be stretched because of Navratri.”
The update comes roughly a month after the original World Cup schedule was announced, which itself was severely delayed.
The original World Cup schedule has October 14 down as a double-header day: England play Afghanistan in a day match in Delhi and New Zealand play Bangladesh in day-night game in Chennai. Incidentally, there are no triple-headers scheduled, though there are two matches on six days.
India, who open their World Cup campaign on October 8 with a game against Australia in Chennai, would have also played Afghanistan on October 11 in Delhi before the game against Pakistan, while their next fixture is against Bangladesh on October 19 in Pune.
As for Pakistan, they play Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6, the second day of the tournament, and Sri Lanka on October 12, also in Hyderabad, before playing India, followed by their fourth game, against Australia in Bengaluru on October 20.
If game moves to October 14, Pakistan will have just a day between their games in Hyderabad and in Ahmedabad, while India will have a two-day gap.