The ODI World Cup 2023, set to kick off in India in October, is still facing questions regarding the scheduling of the competition. A recent report circulating in the media says that the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) now wants to reschedule the upcoming warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Hyderabad.
Slated for 29th September at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, the match now stands at the intersection of sports and cultural festivities.
Considering the convergence of Ganesh Visarjan and Milad un Nabi festivals, the HCA is lobbying for a preponement to 28th September. Their rationale? Ensuring watertight security for both teams, with Babar Azam's squad being in the spotlight.
Interestingly, the HCA's plate is chock-full this World Cup season. They are prepping to host a slew of back-to-back matches: notably, New Zealand locking horns with the Netherlands on 9th October, followed by the Pakistan and Sri Lanka encounter on 12th October. Amidst this frenzy, the HCA's entreaties to the BCCI seem to be echoing in a void, with no official response in sight.
The plot thickens with HCA officials in a tug-of-war with local authorities. The latter, in their quest for clarity, are keen on an official communiqué from either the ICC or BCCI regarding the rejigged schedule. While June did witness the Indian Board dispatching a schedule, the subsequent radio silence has been deafening.
Local echelons are nudging the HCA to reflect upon the feasibility of back-to-back matches, particularly in light of security apprehensions. To fathom the scale, envisage a police force nearing 3,000 personnel, marshalled for a singular match. Such mammoth deployments underscore the gravity attached to Pakistan's matches and the intricate security fabric they demand.
For aficionados tracking the ODI World Cup 2023, the term 'reschedule' is hardly novel. The itinerary has undergone multiple facelifts, impacting as many as nine matches. Case in point: the high-octane India-Pakistan duel was originally pencilled in for 15th October at the Narendra Modi Stadium. With Navratri festivities in the backdrop, this marquee event has been advanced to 14th October. Furthermore, fixtures in Kolkata, featuring Pakistan, England, and other teams, have also witnessed calendar tweaks.
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