BCCI exploring alternatives for India-Pakistan World Cup match

The original schedule for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 has the highly-anticipated India v/s Pakistan clash scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad. The ICC Cricket World Cup match between India and Pakistan is likely to be rescheduled and advanced by a day to October 14, BCCI sources said.
They said that security agencies have advised the BCCI to reschedule the match to October 14 as October 15 is the first day of ‘Navratri’. Considering the extent to which the Navaratri is celebrated in Ahmedabad and the whole of Gujarat, the security agencies said to have expressed concerns over logistical issues. The schedule for ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup was released last month by International Cricket Council (ICC). The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), hence, is reportedly looking to restructure the itinerary despite the fact that the tickets for the high-profile match have already been sold out. The clash between traditional rivals India and Pakistan has been scheduled for October 15 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. “Security agencies have advised BCCI to reschedule the match date to October 14 from October 15,” a BCCI source said.
“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 v/s Pakistan, for which thousands of travelling fans are expected to reach Ahmedabad, should be avoided since they will be stretched because of Navratri,” a top BCCI official told. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has called a meeting on July 27 which will have members from hosting venues and decision to reschedule the date of the match is likely to be taken, sources said.
“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 reportedly read. Mass cancellations of hotel and flight bookings could be in place if the date for the match does get changed. As per sources, the request from BCCI over change in schedule has already been sent to the ICC. The reports also said that the game will not move out of the Narendra Modi Stadium but the fans will still need to change their travel plans. With the hotel fares going through the roof, it was reported earlier this month that the passionate fans who will be flying in from all around the world have resorted to booking hospital beds in the city. India play their opening World Cup game against Australia in Chennai on October 8 while Pakistan’s first two games have been scheduled in Hyderabad on October 6 and October 12. Advancing the Indo-Pak game by a day might also impact the Babar Azam-led side, which will get a day less to prepare for the high-profile clash. However, the option, on the face of it, is easier thought than implemented.