In response to the recent buzz, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Jay Shah, firmly refuted the rumors surrounding the rescheduling of the Pakistan versus India clash in the ICC World Cup 2023. He categorically denied any changes being made due to security concerns.
Pakistan-India World Cup Match Date
The India-Pakistan game might occur on October 14 instead of the initial date, October 15, in Ahmedabad.
Previously, reports from the media suggested that the potential alteration of the tournament’s highly awaited match was because it coincided with the commencement of Navratri—a festival observed with widespread participation throughout Gujarat.
Considering the festival, the BCCI had been suggested by security agencies to adjust the schedule, mentioning their incapacity to ensure sufficient security.
Nevertheless, Jay dismissed the reports.
If [safety] was a concern, why would the [event] go there [to Ahmedabad]? [October] 14-15 is not the [concern]. Two or three [organizations] have written in, asking to change based on the [practical] challenges.
There exist certain fixtures with just a two-day interval, making it challenging to engage in a match, travel the following day [and then compete once more],” remarked Shah post a BCCI gathering in Delhi on Thursday.
To the utmost extent feasible, we are examining the possibility of keeping both the venue and the matches unchanged. Maintaining the venue’s stability holds paramount significance.
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“Teams with six-day intervals between matches, our goal is to lessen it to four-five days; and for those with mere two-day breaks, we aim to extend it to three days.”
Shah further verified that numerous complete members have requested to modify the timetable of certain matches in the mega occasion.
“There is a chance that a few alterations might occur in the timetable. Various Full Member nations have submitted requests to modify two or three dates in the schedule. We are collaborating with the ICC, and we anticipate resolving it within two or three days,” he concluded.