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India-Pakistan World Cup 2023 match: BCCI's Jay Shah responds to rescheduling speculations

India-Pakistan World Cup 2023 match: BCCI's Jay Shah responds to rescheduling speculations
India-Pakistan World Cup 2023 match: BCCI's Jay Shah responds to rescheduling speculations
India vs Pakistan

Last Updated: 12.46 PM, Jul 28, 2023

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The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 has generated a wave of excitement among fans with many having already booked hotels, and even hospital beds due to the high demand. However, it has been learnt that could be changed in the ICC ODI World Cup schedule.

In response to these speculations, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has come forward to provide clarity on the matter. Shah confirmed that there will indeed be some modifications to the schedule of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and these changes are currently being discussed in collaboration with the ICC. The final decisions regarding the schedule alterations are expected to be reached within the next few days.

While Shah did not explicitly mention whether the India vs Pakistan clash is among the matches to be rescheduled, he did acknowledge that several other cricket boards had approached the BCCI. These boards highlighted logistical challenges their teams might face during the tournament and requested adjustments to their fixtures. However, Shah refrained from disclosing the names of these teams.

"There is a possibility there could be few changes in the schedule" Shah said after a BCCI meeting in Delhi on Thursday. "Several Full Member countries have written in requesting to change two or three dates in the schedule. We are working out with the ICC, and we should be able to clear it in two or three days."

As for the India vs Pakistan clash, the BCCI has contemplated advancing the fixture by a day due to concerns raised by the local police regarding the provision of sufficient security on October 15. This date coincides with the commencement of Navratri, a significant nine-day Hindu festival.

Shah, however, categorically dismissed that as the reason. "If security was an issue then why would the match go there (to Ahmedabad)? [October] 14-15 is not the problem. Two or three boards have written in, asking to change based on the logistical challenges. There are some matches where there is only a two-day gap, so it will be difficult to play and then travel the next day [and then play again]."

Shah has confirmed that the venues will remain unchanged in the revised schedule, but there will be adjustments made to the time intervals between games.

"As far as possible, we are looking at not changing the venue as well as the matches. Not changing the venue is very important. Teams which have six-day gaps between matches, we are trying to reduce it to four-five days; and for those that have just two-day gaps, we are trying to increase to three days."

The release of the World Cup schedule was delayed this time, unlike the last two editions when it was announced at least a year in advance. Finally, the tournament is scheduled to begin on October 5, with England, the reigning champions, taking on New Zealand in Ahmedabad. Despite this, details regarding ticket sales have not been made public by the ICC and the BCCI.

Addressing the concern, Jay Shah stated that the ticketing process, along with information on pricing and the platform for ticket sales, will be disclosed next week. The BCCI is working in coordination with the ICC to finalize these important aspects of the World Cup, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for cricket fans eager to witness the highly anticipated event.

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