Najam Sethi, the former chairman of the PCB Management Committee, criticized the BCCI for another potential change in the schedule of the ICC World Cup 2023.
Sethi said that the BCCI should have taken his advice to schedule Pakistan's matches in a neutral venue to avoid scheduling problems.
“@BCCI should have taken my advice re @TheRealPCB playing their WC games in a neutral country :) They are now in a mess with schedule tweaks being proposed every few days!” Sethi wrote in a post on X.
The schedule for 2023 World Cup might potentially undergo further adjustments as the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for revisions. The focal point of this issue revolves around consecutive games at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal. On October 9, the stadium is slated to host a match between New Zealand and the Netherlands, followed immediately by the intense clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the next day (October 10).
The Indian Express earlier today reported that the Hyderabad Police have raised concerns about potential security challenges associated with hosting back-to-back matches, with particular emphasis on the high-profile Pakistan fixture. To address these concerns, the HCA has formally approached the BCCI, requesting adjustments to the schedule of the two consecutive matches it is set to host. These adjustments are being sought in response to security issues raised by local law enforcement.
Initially, the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was scheduled for October 12, but the date was altered along with other eight fixtures being rescheduled, including Pakistan versus India game being moved a day earlier to October 14.
The logistics required for a single match are considerable, involving the deployment of around 3,000 police personnel. Furthermore, a substantial security presence is deemed necessary at the hotel accommodating the Pakistan team.
Insider sources reveal that the HCA was taken by surprise when the schedule was revised.