HCA Requests Change in Rescheduled ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Fixtures, Wants to Avoid Consecutive Matches Due to Security Reasons
The Hyderabad Police have informed HCA that organising back-to-back matches may result in them failing to provide adequate security to the Pakistan team it will also require posting a sufficient number of troops at the stadium and the team hotel.
Mumbai, Aug 20: Just a few days after changing the schedule of nine matches during the upcoming ICC Men's ODI World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has received another request for a change in fixtures for the event to be held across India in October-November this year. The request has come from the Hyderabad Cricket Association after the local police raised concerns over hosting back-to-back matches, including the marque clash between former champions Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Jasprit Bumrah Emerges As Favourite to Replace Hardik Pandya As Indian Cricket Team's Vice-Captain Ahead of Asia Cup 2023: Report.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal in Hyderabad is scheduled to host the New Zealand versus the Netherlands clash on October 9 followed by a match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the next day.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) is scheduled to host only three of the 45 matches with the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match scheduled for October 12. But with the BCCI reworking fixtures for nine matches to accommodate clashes with other schedules to avoid security hassles, the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match was moved ahead to October 10 from its original date of October 12.
This was done to give the 1992 World Cup winners enough time to prepare for their much-anticipated clash with hosts India at Ahmedabad on August 14. According to multiple reports from Hyderabad, the HCA has sent in an official request for a change in the schedule to ensure a sufficient gap between the two matches.
The Hyderabad Police have informed HCA that organising back-to-back matches may result in them failing to provide adequate security to the Pakistan team it will also require posting a sufficient number of troops at the stadium and the team hotel. Apparently, the HCA was not consulted before the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was moved ahead. PCB Invites BCCI Secretary Jay Shah To Attend Inaugural Match of Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan.
It is now to be seen how BCCI will respond to this request as it has already faced severe criticism from foreign media over the first change of schedule. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will also not be happy as that might mean they will have fewer days of rest before or after the back-to-back matches.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 20, 2023 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).