The ICC World Cup 2023 schedule could see further adjustments following reports that the Hyderabad Cricket Association has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), seeking changes to the dates of one of the consecutive matches due to security risks.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association has requested the BCCI to change the 2023 World Cup schedule as they can't host back to back matches on 9th (NZ Vs Ned) and 10th October (Pakistan Vs SL) due to security arrangements. (Indian Express). pic.twitter.com/DsMGps66IY
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 20, 2023
It has been slightly more than a week since the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced substantial revisions to the Men's ODI World Cup schedule. This involved a total of nine changes, including the high-stakes encounter between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.
The recent developments, however, indicate there could be further changes in the World Cup schedule.
Which World Cup 2023 matches are Hyderabad hosting?
Hyderabad is currently slated to host three World Cup matches. The first one will take place between Pakistan and Netherlands on October 6. The Dutch will return to the venue three days later to take on New Zealand. A day later, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will lock horns at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.
Which World Cup 2023 matches were previously rescheduled?
The World Cup schedule saw its first revision due to security concerns highlighted by the Ahmedabad police regarding the India vs Pakistan match. This particular game had been slated for October 15, coinciding with the opening day of Navaratri, a nine-day Hindu festival.
Therefore, the match was moved a day ahead, triggering further changes in the original timetable.
Here is the updated schedule for the World Cup fixtures which were rescheduled:
- England vs Bangladesh, October 10, 10:30 AM IST
- Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, October 10, 2 PM IST
- Australia vs South Africa, October 12, 2 PM IST
- New Zealand vs Bangladesh, October 13, 2 PM IST
- India vs Pakistan, October 14, 2 PM IST
- England vs Afghanistan, October 15, 2 PM IST
- Australia vs Bangladesh, November 11, 10:30 AM IST
- England vs Pakistan, November 11, 2 PM IST
- India vs Netherlands, November 12, 2 PM IST
Why does the HCA want to change World Cup 2023 schedule again?
Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium will be the stage for the New Zealand vs Netherlands match on October 9, followed by the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka game on October 10, according to the current World Cup 2023 schedule.
The Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match was initially on the docket for October 12, but it was pushed forward to October 10 to provide the Pakistan team with extra recovery time, as their high-profile showdown against India was advanced to October 14 from its former date of October 15.
The Hyderabad Police has expressed reservations about managing security for World Cup matches scheduled on consecutive days, especially with one of the teams being Pakistan.
#ODIWorldCup: With Kali Puja on Nov 12, #Pakistan vs #England game at #Eden could witness date change#WestBengal #Kolkata #WorldCup #ReporterDiary (@Anirbansinhr) pic.twitter.com/gZuMWczvuN
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 5, 2023
These concerns came to the forefront following the Kolkata administration's plea to reschedule the Pakistan vs England match at Eden Gardens.
The match was originally planned for November 12 but was shifted to November 11 due to Kali Puja, a significant religious festival observed in Kolkata and the larger West Bengal region.
BCCI did not respond to the request as of yet, but there is a strong possibility that the it would agree to reschedule the fixture. If that happens, it could lead to another set of fixture changes in the tournament.
