- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 05 Aug 2023 08:17 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has written to the BCCI regarding the change of a scheduled date for a league fixture of the upcoming ODI World Cup at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The state board has reportedly raised concerns over the hosting of the match between Pakistan and England on November 12 which coincides with Kali Puja, citing security issues raised by the local police.
A six-member ICC team on Saturday visited the Eden Gardens in Kolkata to take stock of preparations for the marquee event. The venue will be hosting the five matches including India vs South Africa on November 5 and the second semifinal on November 16 for the world cup.
The request has come after the Ahmedabad Police had told the BCCI about a similar situation on October 15 which happens to be the first day of the Hindu festival of Navaratri with the India vs Pakistan clash now is set to be rescheduled to October 14 instead of the original date of October 15th.
"Kolkata Police has cited concerns to provide security for the match slated on Diwali. We have informed the ICC and BCCI to reschedule it and if it does not happen we would inform to the chief minister," PTI quoted a senior CAB office-bearer as saying, who was part of the meeting with the 17-member ICC and BCCI inspection team.
However, CAB chief Snehasish Ganguly has denied making any request for a schedule change.
Pakistan's match against Sri Lanka on October 12, is also set to be moved a couple of days ahead.
CAB chief Ganguly gave a guarded response while talking to reporters after the ICC’s inspection and meeting that lasted for more than three hours.
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"We have not yet got anything officially from the Kolkata Police," Snehasish, elder brother of former BCCI president and India captain Sourav Ganguly, said.
"Unless we get something officially, we can't inform the ICC. The security issue is being taken care of by the Kolkata Police. That is not our lookout."
"As I said, we have not got anything officially, if we get anything we will inform ICC."
The CAB reportedly requested for a rescheduling of the fixture in a letter to BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Friday.
(With Agency Inputs)
