August 2nd, 2016: New Delhi ESPNCricinfo revealed on Wednesday that the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will be played on October 14 instead of the previously announced October 15.
ESPNCricinfo has been informed by reliable sources that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has approved a modification to the World Cup schedule, which is likely to be revealed this week but has not yet been made public by the International Cricket Council. As previously stated, the event would take place in the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
Date change for tournament’s main game affects Pakistan’s previous game versus Sri Lanka. The game will still be played in Hyderabad on October 10, however, the original date of October 12 has been moved forward to give Pakistan more time to prepare for the next encounter.
Given that the first day of the Hindu holiday of ‘Navaratri’ falls on the initial date of the India-Pakistan match, a rescheduling was necessary. On that day, it may be impossible for local law enforcement to provide the level of protection that is normally provided. The International Cricket Council (ICC) notified PCB of the upcoming adjustment by letter, and PCB has already accepted it.
However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah previously said that conflicts with Hindu holidays like as ‘Navaratri’ were not a factor in the decision to move the tournament. Last week, he announced that the tournament schedule will be adjusted to accommodate the wishes of numerous active ICC members.
Other teams and matches will be affected by the date change between India and Pakistan. On October 14, two matches are scheduled: Bangladesh vs. New Zealand in Chennai, and Afghanistan vs. England in Delhi, with the latter game possibly taking place the day before, on October 13.
After multiple delays, the original schedule for the World Cup was revealed in June. The new schedule comes barely two months before the tournament begins on October 5. Only 100 days before the tournament began did the ICC and BCCI disclose it. The schedules for both the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England and Wales were made public more than a year in advance.
England, the reigning champions, will open the tournament against New Zealand, the 2019 runners-up, in Ahmedabad. BCCI and ICC have not yet made any public announcements on ticket sales.
