The local security agencies have raised concerns regarding the game.
With exactly two months left for the World Cup, there are reports coming that the schedule for the showpiece tournament could be revised.
Last month, it was reported that the high-profile India versus Pakistan clash in the upcoming ODI World Cup will be advanced by a day to October 14 due to the opening day of Navratri celebrations in Ahmedabad.
Now, a report published in PTI suggests that the England versus Pakistan game in Kolkata on November 12 might be rescheduled as well.
The match coincides with Kali Puja, which is the second biggest festival in West Bengal. The local security agencies have raised concerns regarding the game as the Kolkata police will be busy guarding the city during the puja procession.
According to the report, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) on Saturday (August 5) informed the ICC recce team about the concerns expressed by the local police regarding security issues due to Kali Puja.
“Kolkata Police has cited concerns to provide security for the match slated on Diwali. We have informed the ICC and BCCI to reschedule it and if does not happen we would inform this to the chief minister,” a senior CAB official was quoted as saying by PTI.
Meanwhile, CAB president Snehasish Ganguly remained silent on the matter and told reporters that the board hasn’t received an official request from the Kolkata police yet regarding a change in schedule for the particular game on Kali Puja.
“We have not yet got anything officially from the Kolkata Police. Unless we get something officially, we can’t inform the ICC. Security issue is being taken care of by the Kolkata Police. That is not our look-out,” said the CAB chief.
“As I said, we have not got anything officially, if we get anything we will inform ICC. We went to Kolkata Police for a courtesy visit two days ago, we had a discussion with them. We schedule, plan and how we are preparing the stadium were discussed,” he added.
The constant requests for changes in the World Cup schedule certainly raise questions whether the local security agencies were taken into confidence while chalking up the dates for the marquee event.
The CAB has reportedly requested for a rescheduling of the fixture in a letter to BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Friday (August 4).
(With PTI Inputs)