Karachi- In a surprising development, the World Cup warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand, slated for September 29, will be held without spectators at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. This decision arises from concerns surrounding security arrangements and the potential disruptions caused by ongoing festivals.
The Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) found itself grappling with the challenge of ensuring adequate security amidst two significant festivals – Ganesh Visarjan and Milan-Un-Nabi – both coinciding on September 28.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken the step of announcing that fans who have already purchased tickets for the match will be issued refunds through Bookmyshow, the official ticketing partner for the World Cup.
A BCCI official confirmed this development, stating, “The game will be played without spectators, and those who have booked their tickets will receive refunds.”
Security agencies had previously expressed reservations about hosting back-to-back World Cup 2023 league matches scheduled for October 9 and October 10 at the same venue. The match on October 10 will feature Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while the game on the 9th will see New Zealand face off against the Netherlands. For each of these matches, approximately 3,000 police personnel will be deployed, with particular attention given to security measures at the hotel where the Pakistan team will be staying.
The original itinerary for the 2023 World Cup underwent significant alterations, including the rescheduling of nine matches. Notably, the highly anticipated India-Pakistan showdown, initially set for October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, was moved up by a day to avoid a clash with the Navratri festival, which holds profound cultural significance in Gujarat.
