Due to reports that Ahmedabad police will not be able to provide protection for the India-Pakistan game on October 15 because it falls on the first day of the auspicious Navaratri holiday, the World Cup schedule may be slightly modified. One idea being looked into by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is moving the match up a day to October 14.
On the surface, the alternative appears to be simpler to think about than to implement. Pakistan may not be able to play the intense game 48 hours later because the team played Sri Lanka just two days earlier, on October 12, in Hyderabad.
In addition, two extra matches are set for October 14: England vs. Afghanistan in New Delhi at 2 PM and New Zealand vs. Bangladesh in Chennai at 10:30 AM. The addition of a third game on the same day, especially one between India and Pakistan, would worry the broadcasters and give the organizers logistical and organizational headaches.
It looks like the BCCI is exploring other options right now. Even if both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) may have received some informal communications, none have been made in writing. It is now clear that simply moving up the date of the India-Pakistan match may not be the solution. The BCCI is thought to be struggling with this issue because the change will probably have a cascading impact. The hosting associations’ conference, slated for Thursday in New Delhi, is anticipated to result in some form of resolution. The World Cup begins on October 5 and ends on November 19, with the opening match and the final taking place in Ahmedabad.
