Najam Sethi mocks BCCI amidst World Cup schedule turmoil

Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) former Chairman Najam Sethi on Sunday took a swipe at the BCCI over the potential alteration of the ICC World Cup 2023 schedule.

Sethi emphasized that the BCCI should have heeded his recommendation to schedule Pakistan's matches in a neutral venue, thereby averting the current predicament of frequent schedule adjustments.

Taking to X , "@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!"

@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!

— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) August 20, 2023

The development took as the timetable for the 2023 World Cup may experience additional modifications due to a request from the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for revisions.

The central concern revolves around the consecutive matches scheduled at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal.

Specifically, on October 9, the stadium is set to host a match between New Zealand and the Netherlands, followed swiftly by the high-stakes encounter between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on the subsequent day (October 10).

The reports underscored that the Hyderabad Police expressed reservations regarding potential security challenges tied to hosting back-to-back matches, with a particular focus on the high-profile Pakistan fixture.

In response, the HCA officially approached the BCCI, seeking alterations to the schedule of the two successive matches it is slated to host. This adjustment request stems from security concerns raised by local law enforcement.

Initially, the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match was scheduled for October 12, but the date was modified along with the rescheduling of eight other fixtures. Notably, the Pakistan-India game was shifted a day earlier to October 14.

The logistical demands for a single match are substantial, necessitating the deployment of approximately 3,000 police personnel. Moreover, a substantial security presence is deemed essential at the hotel accommodating the Pakistan cricket team.

Insiders divulge that the HCA was caught off guard by the revised schedule. Allegations have arisen that the schedule changes were implemented by BCCI leadership without prior consultation with local authorities.

Amid preparations for ticket sales set to commence on August 25, uncertainty prevails regarding whether the BCCI will accede to the HCA's request for yet another schedule adjustment.