Another change to the World Cup schedule due to security
ISLAMABAD: Given that the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for alterations, the schedule for the 2023 World Cup may undergo additional changes. This issue’s main focus is a series of matches at Uppal’s Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
The stadium will host a game between New Zealand and the Netherlands on October 9, which will be immediately followed by an exciting contest between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on October 10. The Hyderabad Police have expressed concerns about potential security issues that could arise from hosting back-to-back matches, with a focus on the high-profile Pakistan match.
This is according to a report from The Indian Express. The HCA has formally asked the BCCI to request changes to the scheduling of the two subsequent matches it is scheduled to host in order to allay these worries. The changes are being requested in response to security concerns brought up by the local law enforcement.
The Pakistan-Sri Lanka game was originally set for October 12, but the date was changed along with the other eight games, including the Pakistan-India game, which was moved a day earlier to October 14. A single match necessitates extensive logistics, including the deployment of almost 3,000 police officers. Additionally, it is thought that a sizable security presence is required at the hotel where the Pakistani squad is staying.
According to insider sources, when the schedule was changed, the HCA was caught off guard. There have been accusations that the BCCI’s upper management implemented these changes without first consulting the regional administrations. Even though ticket sales are set to start on August 25, it’s unclear whether the BCCI will grant the HCA’s request for yet another timetable modification.
Published in EDP BLOGS on August 20,2023.
