In a recent development, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan World Cup match scheduled for October 15 in Ahmedabad may be rescheduled. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had initially fixed the game on the first day of Navratri, a prominent festival celebrated with grand garba nights across Gujarat. Citing security concerns due to the massive participation expected during Navratri, security agencies have advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider the match date.
The Narendra Modi Stadium, with a capacity of nearly 1 lakh spectators, is set to host four marquee games, including the tournament opener between New Zealand and England, India vs Pakistan, England vs Australia, and the final. The event will take place in 10 cities, with the semifinals to be held in Mumbai and Kolkata.
Reports from Ahmedabad indicate that hotels are already fully booked for mid-October, and even homestay options have been exhausted. Furthermore, a surge in airfares is expected if the match date is changed. This poses a logistical nightmare for fans who have already finalized their travel plans, as the tickets for this game are known to sell out within hours, and broadcasters anticipate sky-high TRPs.
To address these concerns and explore possible alternatives, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has reached out to the associations hosting World Cup matches, calling for a meeting in New Delhi on July 27. During the meeting, the board is likely to discuss the security situation in Ahmedabad and finalize a new date for the India-Pakistan match.
The decision to reschedule the game would undoubtedly have an impact on fans and stakeholders, leading to mass cancellations and frantic rebooking. Both the BCCI and ICC understand the significance of this match, and any changes will be made with the best interests of all concerned parties in mind.
