In what comes as a massive news from the cricketing circuit, the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan October 15 World Cup match is likely to be rescheduled. As per a media report, security agencies have advised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make the change with the fixture clashing with the start of Navaratri, a popular festival especially in Gujarat where garba nights are organised throughout the state. The match is slated to be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
While there is no official confirmation on the date change, the same has been claimed in a report by Indian Express. However, in case an official confirmation does come, it will be a logistical nightmare for fans who had already planned their travel to Ahmedabad based on the schedule released by the ICC and the BCCI.
"We are mulling the options that we have and a decision will be taken soon. We have been told by the security agencies that a high-profile game like India vs Pakistan, for which thousands of travelling fans are expected to reach Ahmedabad, should be avoided since they will be stretched because of Navratri," a top BCCI official, on condition of anonymity, told The Indian Express.
It is pertinent to note that as per the current schedule, the world's largest cricket facility, the Narendra Modi Stadium was given four matches. While it is slated to host the tournament opener between last time's finalists New Zealand and England, England vs Australia and the final were the other games which Ahmedabad is supposed to host other than the India vs Pakistan fixture. Notably, this is the first time that an ODI World Cup is being staged solely in India with the event set to be held across 10 cities.
Also Read | ODI World Cup 2023: Hotel Room Prices In Ahmedabad Skyrocket For IND vs PAK Game- Report
As soon as the official schedule was announced, hotel prices skyrocketed with fans willing to book even hospital rooms to secure accommodation around the given date. In case, a fresh date is revealed for what the high-voltage encounter, cancellations at a large scale are expected with fans also likely to reschedule their Ahmedabad visit. As per a recent update on news agency ANI, the match could happen a day prior to the orginal schedule on October 14.