The India-Pakistan World Cup game set for October 15 in Ahmedabad is probably going to be delayed.
Security agencies, it is learned, have asked the BCCI to modify the schedule because the International Cricket Council (ICC) scheduled the tournament’s most anticipated game on the first day of Navratri, a holiday celebrated with widespread participation at garba evenings throughout Gujarat.
If the game’s date is changed, supporters who have made travel arrangements for it will face a logistical headache because the tickets sell out in a matter of hours, resulting in record-breaking TRPs for broadcasters.
We are considering our alternatives, and a decision will be made soon. A high-profile game like India vs. Pakistan, for which thousands of travelling fans are anticipated to arrive in Ahmedabad, has been advised against by the security agencies because they will be overextended due to Navratri, according to a top BCCI official who wished to remain anonymous.
According to reports from Ahmedabad, all homestay choices have been used up and most hotels are already overbooked for mid-October. Additionally, a rise in airfare is anticipated. In the event that a new date for the India-Pakistan game is revealed, massive cancellation and crazed booking are likely to occur.
In the meantime, on Tuesday evening, BCCI secretary Jay Shah sent a letter to the organisations organising World Cup games inviting them to a meeting on July 27 in New Delhi. It has been heard that the board may inform the members of the match’s revised date as well as the security issues in the area of Ahmedabad.
“I believe it will be better for everyone involved if we get together once more to share notes and go through any issues that need to be discussed and resolved. As a result, you are hereby invited to participate in a meeting of the World Cup hosting associations, according to the letter that was delivered to all state associations.
