The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has asked the BCCI to adjust the scheduling of two ICC World Cup 2023 games in India. It was due to local police security concerns, The Indian Express reported on Sunday. The HCA requested less than two months before the mega cricket event. The Indian media outlet reported that Hyderabad Police expressed concerns about security for the New Zealand-Netherlands match on October 9. And the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match on October 10 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal. Read out complete details about World Cup 2023 and Pakistan’s schedule might change again down below.
World Cup 2023: Pakistan’s schedule might change again
The Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was moved from October 12 to October 14 to give Pakistan enough time between matches after their meeting with India. The article states that nine World Cup matches were postponed earlier this month. It was without the HCA’s consent, forcing them to request a revision in the program.
The Hyderabad Police told the HCA they couldn’t handle two back-to-back games and security, especially for the Pakistan game. For one game, 3,000 police will be mobilized, and many would be stationed at the Pakistan team’s hotel. With tickets going on sale August 25, it was unclear if the BCCI would grant HCA’s plea to reschedule the schedule again.
The India-Pakistan match was initially scheduled for October 15. But security agencies advised the BCCI to modify the date since it clashed with the first day of Navratri, a major Gujarati festival. From October 5 to November 19, 10 teams competed for the coveted title at 10 venues. It includes Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium for the tournament opener and final. All teams would play 45 round-robin league matches in the Cricket World Cup. The top four teams advance to the semifinals in Mumbai on November 15. Also, Kolkata on November 16. The semi-finals and final have reserve days.
“The police is learnt to have informed HCA that they won’t be able to provide adequate security for the Pakistan game. In case the other game (New Zealand vs Netherlands) is played on the scheduled date,” the report added.
