IND vs PAK ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: In a major development, the most anticipated IND vs PAK game during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is likely to be rescheduled due to apparent security concerns in Ahmedabad. Reportedly, the security agencies have advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reschedule the IND vs PAK game.
Notably, the eagerly awaited IND vs PAK fixture is already scheduled to be held on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The ICC and BCCI announced the schedule for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 a couple of days ago, however, there may be some tweaks to the original schedule.
The Indian Express reported that October 15 marks the first day of Navratri, the festival which is celebrated all across Gujarat throughout the night with the Garba dance. Hosting a high-profile IND vs PAK game won’t be a viable option as it poses as a great security threat.
“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 travelling fans are expected to reach Ahmedabad, should be avoided since they will be stretched because of Navratri,” a source told the Indian Express.
Nightmare for fans if IND vs PAK game rescheduled
If the IND vs PAK game for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 gets rescheduled, it will be a massive nightmare for the fans, who had already planned their travel to Ahmedabad. There was mass booking of hotels and people had already booked their travelling tickets at inflated prices for the game. In fact, some reports also claimed that people have even booked hospital beds for a night due to the unavailability of hotels.
Therefore a tweak in the ICC World Cup 2023 schedule will result in mass cancellation of hotel bookings along with the collapse in fans’ travel plans to Ahmedabad.
It can be noted that the BCCI and ICC have yet not opened the sale of stadium tickets for any of the games. With little over two months left for the coveted event to begin, its delay in the sale of tickets is incomprehensible.
Jay Shah, BCCI secretary, has called a meeting on July 27 with all the concerned members, who will be hosting ICC World Cup 2023 matches to further discuss the fate of the IND vs PAK fixture.
“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 read.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is set to begin on October 5 with England taking on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The final of the tournament, on November 19, is also scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
For more details head to ICC’s official website.