In the lead-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the BCCI has come under the scanner for its mismanagement being the host of the marquee event.

The World Cup schedule, which usually gets announced a year before the tournament, was unveiled on June 27 and then multiple changes were made to the itinerary.

Moreover, fans have been facing difficulties while purchasing match tickets, the sale of which had been delayed due to the late announcement of the schedule as well as the subsequent changes.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has come out in defence over delays in schedule and ticket sales.

“The delay has been primarily caused by the need to ensure that the tournament schedule aligns with various logistical and participating members’ operational challenges and broadcast requirements. As a result, the BCCI has been working diligently to finalise all aspects of the tournament, including venue availability, team schedules, and other essential arrangements,” Shah said in an interview with Sportstar.

Notably, the BCCI on Wednesday (September 6) said that they will be releasing approximately 400,000 more tickets for the forthcoming World Cup. This announcement came after the fans’ outrage on social media.

The general sale of tickets for all World Cup matches will commence from 8:00 PM IST onwards on September 8, 2023.

Shah also felt that the challenges of staging a tournament of this scale in a country as big as India came with its own set of challenges.

“Organising a 50-over Cricket World Cup in a country as vast and diversified as India presents both exciting opportunities and unique challenges. The scale and diversity of India require meticulous planning, coordination, and execution to ensure the tournament’s success and seamless experience for players, fans, and stakeholders,” he added.

The quadrennial event is all set to get underway with the England versus New Zealand clash in Ahmedabad on October 5.