The highly-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash, originally scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad as part of the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, might be rescheduled due to logistical concerns. This date coincides with the beginning of the Navaratri festival in the state, which is widely celebrated in Ahmedabad and the whole of Gujarat. Security agencies have expressed worries about managing a high-profile match like India vs Pakistan while also handling the festivities.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering restructuring the itinerary, even though tickets for the match have already been sold out. According to reports, the match is likely to be preponed to October 14, a day earlier. The BCCI has sent a request to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for this change.
The match will still be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, but fans will need to adjust their travel plans. Hotel prices have surged, leading some passionate fans to book hospital beds in the city as an alternative.
India’s opening World Cup game against Australia is scheduled for October 8 in Chennai, while Pakistan has matches in Hyderabad on October 6 and October 12.
The advancement of the Indo-Pak game by a day could also affect the preparations of the Babar Azam-led Pakistani side, as they will have one less day to prepare for the high-profile clash.
To address these concerns, the BCCI secretary Jay Shah has written to the associations hosting World Cup matches, inviting them to a meeting in New Delhi on July 27. During the meeting, the BCCI will discuss the issues with other boards and make a decision on the new date and venue for the India-Pakistan match.
Given the potential changes in the match schedule, there may be mass cancellations of hotel and flight bookings.
