CWC 2023: India-Pakistan World Cup clash likely to be advanced by a day due to Navratri celebrations – Report

As of now, India and Pakistan are due to square off in Ahmedabad on October 15.

Babar Azam and Rohit Sharma | GettyThe high-profile India versus Pakistan encounter in the upcoming ODI World Cup might be advanced by a day to October 14 due to the opening day of Navratri celebrations in Ahmedabad, ESPNCricinfo reported.

According to the report, the local police has told the BCCI that it would find it difficult to take care of security on October 15 and the governing body is now contemplating on shifting the marquee clash a day earlier.

Apparently, the BCCI has informed the ICC regarding the same but the final decision is yet to be taken.

As per the report, the Indian board is likely to have a meeting with all the state associations that are staging World Cup matches on July 27 before a final call is taken.

Last month, the ICC announced the fixtures for the quadrennial event and kept October 14 as a double-header day. While England are scheduled to play Afghanistan in a day match in Delhi, New Zealand are due to face Bangladesh in day-night game at Chepauk.

There are no triple-headers scheduled and if India-Pakistan clash moves to October 14, it could impact the overall ODI World Cup schedule.

Pakistan are due to open their World Cup campaign against Netherlands in Hyderabad on October 6. The Babar Azam-led side’s second match in the tournament is against Sri Lanka on October 12 in Hyderabad, followed by the game against India.

In case, Pakistan play India on October 14, they will have just a day between their games in Hyderabad and in Ahmedabad. On the other hand, India will have two days gap after playing Afghanistan on October 11 in Delhi.

The development comes almost a month after the announcement of the World Cup schedule and the fans will need to adjust their travel plans accordingly.

(With ESPNCricinfo Inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 26 Jul, 2023

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