The ICC ODI World Cup is slated to be held in India from 5 October with England and New Zealand clashing in the opener that will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. India will be playing their first match against Australia at Chennai on 8 October. They will meet their arch-rivals Pakistan on 15 October and the match will be played at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Though the Pakistan Cricket Board demanded a change in the venue citing security reasons, the BCCI is in no mood to pay heed to their demands. However. as per the latest reports, the BCCI may have to reschedule the match because Hindu festival Navratri is starting on that day and the security agencies have informed the board that it will be difficult for them to take care of security as they will be busy with security of Navratri celebrations.
A BCCI official stated, “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.”
While change of the venue is almost impossible, rescheduling of the match will create a lot of problems for fans who have made arrangements for travel and staying in Ahmedabad for watching the match. But the BCCI surely has the right to change the venue as they haven’t sold the tickets till now and above all, it has been advised by security agencies.
