The October 15 India-Pakistan World Cup match in Ahmedabad is likely to be rescheduled due to its clash with the first day of Navratri, reported The Indian Express.
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, as per the report, have advised the BCCI to tweak the itinerary.
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.
“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.
Reports from Ahmedabad say that most hotels are already over-booked for mid-October and even homestay options have been exhausted. A surge in airfares is expected as well. Mass cancellation and frenzied booking are on the cards if a new date for the India-Pakistan game is announced.
