The marquee India-Pakistan match in the upcoming ODI World Cup will be advanced by a day to October 14. Few more changes are expected in the schedule as the official announcement is likely to be made on July 31.
The highly anticipated India-Pakistan group clash in the upcoming ODI World Cup is set to be rescheduled to October 14, a day earlier than originally planned. Further adjustments to the World Cup schedule are anticipated, and the official announcement regarding these changes is expected to be made on July 31.
Last week, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that a change in the schedule of the ODI World Cup was likely after three boards wrote to the ICC requesting a calendar adjustment. He also stated that just the dates and times of the matches would be altered in order to decrease the gap to 4-5 days. The names of the ICC full members who requested a timetable adjustment were not announced by the BCCI secretary.
“Three members have written to the ICC for a schedule change. Only the date and timings will be changed, venues will not be changed. If there is a six-day gap between games, we are trying to reduce it to 4-5 days. The picture will be clear in three-four days. Changes will happen in consultation with the ICC,” Shah said.
The decision to reschedule the India vs Pakistan clash in the 2023 ODI World Cup comes as the local police in Ahmedabad expressed concerns about ensuring adequate security on October 15, the same day as the commencement of the Hindu festival Navaratri. The magnitude of the match, combined with the festive atmosphere of the religious celebration, could potentially strain the authorities’ capacity to handle the event effectively.
The announcement of a possible schedule change caused concern among fans and stakeholders who had already made travel arrangements, including booking flights and hotels in Ahmedabad, in anticipation of witnessing much-awaited India vs Pakistan encounter. Historically, this match has been one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide, and fans from both nations eagerly await this intense showdown on the cricket field.