ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule To Change Once Again? BCCI Reacts To HCA's Security Concerns

The security arrangement in Hyderabad is expected to be heightened as before featuring in proper World Cup games, Pakistan will play two warm-up games in the city.

With less than a week left for the start of ticket sales of 2023 ODI World Cup in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) faces yet another headache. The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has requested a revision to the ODI World Cup 2023 schedule after Hyderabad Police expressed concerns about ensuring security for two World Cup games in as many days. HCA said that hosting back-to-back World Cup games isn't ideal for security reasons.

The security arrangement in Hyderabad is expected to be heightened as Pakistan will have a lengthy stay at the venue. Before featuring in proper World Cup games, Pakistan will play two warm-up games in the city.

Earlier this month, as many as nine ODI World Cup 2023 matches were rescheduled after BCCI and ICC had announced a revised schedule. Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is scheduled to host Pakistan versus Sri Lanka World Cup game on October 10 and New Zealand versus Netherlands on October 9. Now, HCA has requested BCCI for another change in schedule, wanting a gap of at least a day between the two games.

"I can't say it would be changed for sure but back to back games are not ideal. I mean if they (BCCI) are reconsidering that will be well and good. We will have to work with security agencies.

"Anyone would want a day in between two World Cup games. We are still engaging with security agencies to see if it is possible or not. At the same time we are also keeping BCCI in the loop. The BCCI is completely aware of what we are trying to do," said an HCA official on condition of anonymity, as per reported by news agency PTI.

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was clear that any further tweak in schedule is "unlikely".

"I am in charge of Hyderabad venue for WC. If there will be any issue or anything, will try to get it resolved. It is not easy to change the World Cup schedule and it's unlikely to happen. Only BCCI can't change schedule, teams, ICC, all involved," Shukla, who is also a Congress Rajya Sabha member, told PTI.

As per the PTI report,  Hyderabad Police deploys between 2000-2500 personnel for an international match.

"Deployment also depends on nature of the game and how many people turn up. Police makes those assessments and deploys accordingly," the HCA source added.