BCCI Secretary Dismisses Rumors of Rescheduling India-Pakistan World Cup Match, Schedule Changes Expected
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, has refuted reports suggesting that the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan World Cup 2023 match in Ahmedabad might be rescheduled due to security concerns. However, Shah acknowledged that certain alterations to the schedule are likely because several Full Member countries have requested changes in the dates.
Recent speculations had emerged that the clash between India and Pakistan, scheduled to take place on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, might be moved to October 14. According to ESPNcricinfo, the potential date change was being considered due to October 15 coinciding with the commencement of the Hindu festival of Navaratri. The report further claimed that local police had cited security issues arising from the festival.
Following a meeting in Delhi on July 27, Shah remarked that the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule would undergo some adjustments. He stated that the revised schedule would be finalized after consultation with the International Cricket Council (ICC). While not disclosing specific matches, Shah stated, There is a possibility there could be a few changes in the schedule. Several Full Member countries have written in requesting to change two or three dates in the schedule. We are working it out with the ICC, and we should be able to resolve it in two or three days.
Contrary to claims linking security concerns to the potential rescheduling of the India-Pakistan match, Shah refuted the notion, questioning why the match would be held in Ahmedabad if security was a genuine issue. Instead, he attributed the possible changes to logistical challenges raised by certain cricket boards. Shah said, Two or three boards have written in, asking to change based on the logistical challenges. There are some matches where there is only a two-day gap, so it will be difficult to play and then travel the next day [and then play again].
Before the World Cup, India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other in the Asia Cup on September 2 in Pallekele. Shah indicated that while the venues are expected to remain the same as per the original schedule, some game dates might need to be altered. He added, As far as possible, we are looking at not changing the venue as well as the matches. Not changing the venue is very important. Teams that have six-day gaps between matches, we are trying to reduce it to four or five days; and those that have just two-day gaps, we are trying to increase to three days.
The schedule for the World Cup 2023 was announced towards the end of last month, with defending champions England taking on 2019 runners-up New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5 to kickstart the tournament. Shah revealed that details regarding ticket bookings for this mega event would be announced next week.
