As India and the Indian Cricket Board gear up for the prestigious ODI World Cup 2023, the scheduling has once again troubled fans and state associations. Just two weeks ahead of the marquee event, the Hyderabad Cricket Association has expressed security concerns over Pakistan vs. New Zealand warm-up game.
The match is set to take place on September 29 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. However, according to a recent news report, the Hyderabad Cricket Association has asked the Indian Cricket Board to shift the game. HCA reasons that security forces will not be able to handle Ganesh Visarjan, Milan-Un-Nabi, and a cricket match on the same day.
It's worth noting that India has faced a lot of trouble creating a comfortable schedule for the ODI World Cup. In the past, the board had to change five matches due to Navratri, while an earlier request from HCA to shift a game was not entertained by the board. It looks like the management team might not entertain this request either, as tickets have already been sold for the game.
India will host the ODI World Cup for the first time
It's worth noting that this is the first time India is solely hosting the ODI World Cup. In the past, India, along with Bangladesh, hosted the marquee event in 2011. The tournament will kick off with defending champions England taking on New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 5. Meanwhile, hosts India will start their campaign from Chennai on October 8.
They will face five-time World Champion Australia at MA Chidambaram Stadium. It's worth noting that India will play at nine different venues across the country. They will face Afghanistan in Delhi, Pakistan in Ahmedabad, New Zealand in Dharamshala, England in Lucknow, and South Africa in Kolkata. They will also play two qualifying teams in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Here is how fans react to the Hyderabad Cricket Association's demand:
Stay Alert Because Pakistan Will Play There.
โ Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) September 10, 2023
Match hi nhi karana chahiye tha Hyderabad me.. dusre state me kara lete ye log hadd par kar diye hai @JayShah sir
โ Abhinav singh (@Abhinav_tmk) September 10, 2023
Bro , pure india mein Hyd aur Mum mein ganesh chaturti aur visarjan bahot bada hota hai , bcci jab schedule bana rahi thi tab kya dimag ghaas charna gaya kya? , navratri ke 1st day hi ind pak rakh diye the ahmd mein ? Unko ni pata kya kitna bada festival hai waha pe?
โ Shreevardhana Jakkula (@ShreevardhanaJ) September 10, 2023
Its a matter of concern ๐
โ Manoj Kumar ๐๏ธ๐ฎ๐ณ (@manoj_begu) September 10, 2023
There are a lot of stadium capable of world cup hosting in india then why Hyderabad if there is problem
โ Finch Academy Of Ducks (@Academyofducks) September 10, 2023
Already it is too complicated....
โ Patel ๐น (@Patelshyd) September 10, 2023
Ganesh Visarjan...
Eid-e-Milad Julus...
Coming elections...
Don't complicate it further by
arranging a warm up match
that too of Pak.
Bhei ye pehle so raha tha kya..
โ VJ (@VJsGamer) September 10, 2023
Nice to see
โ Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) September 10, 2023
Are we sure, India was the right choice for this big event? Since it has become a norm now to change the venue for security reasons.
โ Ameer Hamza Asif (@AmeerHamzaAsif) September 10, 2023
India didn't deserve to host a multi national tournament
โ Maheen๐ค๐ต๐ฐ (@mahi5621_) September 10, 2023
Can't handle a warm up game
โ Finch Academy Of Ducks (@Academyofducks) September 10, 2023
Hmmm well Management is considering at least
โ Tariq Khan (@khattar_01) September 10, 2023
They canโt host the tournament thatโs it they donโt have the capability
โ Mohsin (@TheCricketPath) September 10, 2023
And then they say Pakistan has security problems. The scheduled has been already changed thousand times.
โ mehtab hassan (@mehtab_Hasaan) September 10, 2023