India-Pakistan World Cup clash may be rescheduled: Reports

With the International Cricket Council (ICC) slotting the tournament’s most anticipated game on the first day of Navratri, a festival celebrated with mass participation at garba nights across Gujarat, security agencies, it is learnt, have advised the BCCI to tweak the itinerary, reports The Indian Express.

In case the date does get changed, a logistical nightmare awaits fans who have finalised travel plans for the game whose tickets get sold out within hours, and bring sky-high TRPs for broadcasters, the newspaper reported.

“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,” a top BCCI official, who did not wish to be identified, told The Indian Express.

India will begin the World Cup campaign against Australia on Oct 8.

The tournament will begin on Oct 5 with a high-voltage clash between New Zealand and England.

England defeated New Zealand in 2019 to lift the title for the first time.