Much-anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the upcoming ODI World Cup could be facing a rescheduling, which might impact the overall tournament schedule. Originally scheduled for October 15th, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating moving the high-profile encounter to October 14th. The reason behind this potential change is the clash with the north Indian Hindu festival of Navaratri, which also falls on October 15th.
The BCCI has been informed by local police that ensuring security arrangements on the first day of Navaratri could pose significant challenges. As a result, they are considering shifting India vs Pakistan match to October 14th to avoid any logistical issues.
While the BCCI has communicated the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC), a final decision is yet to be made. Before reaching a conclusive resolution, the BCCI plans to hold a meeting with all the state associations hosting World Cup matches on July 27th.
As per the original World Cup schedule, October 14th was designated as a double-header day with England taking on Afghanistan in a day match in Delhi, followed by New Zealand facing Bangladesh in a day-night game in Chennai. It’s worth noting that there are no triple-headers scheduled, although there will be two matches on six days.
If the India vs Pakistan match is moved to October 14th, it will result in a tight schedule for Pakistan. They are set to play against the Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6th, followed by a match against Sri Lanka on October 12th, both in Hyderabad as well. With just a day’s gap, they would then face India in Ahmedabad, and their fourth game against Australia in Bengaluru is scheduled for October 20th.
On the other hand, India will open their World Cup campaign against Australia in Chennai on October 8th, followed by a match against Afghanistan in Delhi on October 11th before the potentially rescheduled India vs Pakistan match. After that, their next fixture is against Bangladesh on October 19th in Pune.
The news of the potential rescheduling comes about a month after the BCCI initially announced the World Cup schedule, which itself faced delays. Fans and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting information about when tickets will go on sale for the marquee India vs Pakistan match.
Many have already made travel arrangements and booked hotels in Ahmedabad, as this iconic match has historically been one of the most-watched sporting events globally. The final decision on the rescheduling will have implications not just for the teams but also for cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipating this thrilling encounter.
