Earlier, the security agencies in Gujrat informed BCCI that it wasn’t a good idea to hold a high-profile match like India vs. Pakistan during Navratri. Navratri is a religious holiday for Hindus, and this time, it was coming on 15 October 2023. The dates clash with the match, and the agencies advised BCCI to reschedule.
Read: ICC World Cup Schedule 2023 PDF Download |Men’s ODI World Cup
The Indian cricket board suggested shifting the match to 14 October, and all eyes were on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make the final decision. The tensions were at an all-time high, but the PCB has accepted this change in the schedule.
Related: ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan vs India match rescheduled
Let’s dive deeper and learn more about the story.
The background for changing the world cup schedule.
So, what happened was that the security agencies were advising the BCCI to change the match schedule as it was colliding with Navratri. The Hindu festival would bring many people to Ahmedabad, while the high-octane match between India and Pakistan would do the same.
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This raised security concerns, and to rectify this situation, Jay Shah was going to meet the relevant bodies organizing this event. This meeting took place on 27 July 2023.
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The agencies suggested that BCCI should try to shift the match on 14 October, a day before it was scheduled earlier.
Check: India Squad for ICC World Cup 2023 [Announced]
Pakistan vs. India political tension
Pakistan vs. India political tension has always been on the rise. But cricket diplomacy always resolved the situation. This time, the very cricket diplomacy is in shambles.
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The Modi government didn’t allow India to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup. As a result, Pakistan had to accept the hybrid model. The current chairman of PCB isn’t happy about it.
After that, the PCB is asked to keep these schedule changes in mind. It could go south any time.
Luckily, PCB overlooked the pettiness BCCI has shown in the past and has accepted the schedule change.
Will Bilawal Bhutto make the final call?
But the prime minister has taken notice of this situation. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will chair a high-profile meeting to discuss whether Pakistan can play the match at the venue. The team’s security, in general, is at stake. In light of the recent Hindutva attack on Muslims in India and its hate for Pakistan, the PM is skeptical of the security measures.
Read: Pakistan Squad for ICC World Cup 2023 [Announced]
The meeting will decide whether Pakistan will get the green card to visit India.
Changed schedule for Pakistan in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023
So, here is the changed schedule for India vs Pakistan.
[su_table]
| Date | Opposition | City |
| Friday, October 6, 2023 | Netherlands | Hyderabad |
| Tuesday, October 10, 2023 | Sri Lanka | Hyderabad |
| Saturday, October 14, 2023 | India | Ahmedabad |
| Friday, October 20, 2023 | Australia | Bengaluru |
| Monday, October 23, 2023 | Afghanistan | Chennai |
| Friday, October 27, 2023 | South Africa | Chennai |
| Tuesday, October 31, 2023 | Bangladesh | Kolkata |
| Saturday, November 4, 2023 | New Zealand | Bengaluru |
| Sunday, November 12, 2023 | England | Kolkata |
[/su_table]
Conclusion
If we take into account the past behavior of BCCI, PCB has made this decision with a lot of grace. Having empathy towards someone and making decisions taking into account what others are going through, isn’t what BCCI has been doing for the past few years, especially with Pakistan.
Yet, this decision shows that PCB will always be the pacifier in the hot situation and will try to mitigate the situation.
We still have to see what the PM of Pakistan has to say about the security measures in India.
Do not worry, we will keep you hooked.