Follow UsDespite the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to change the dates for one of the matches to avoid hosting matches on two consecutive days, the latter have asked them to honour the current schedule.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad, will thus host New Zealand vs Netherlands on October 9, and that will be followed by the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka match on October 10.
"We have engaged in discussions with the BCCI, and they have indicated that changing the schedule is not feasible at this point. Therefore, we have concurred to collaborate," Durga Prasad, a member of the team appointed by the Supreme Court administrator L Nageswara Rao, told Cricbuzz.
"We comprehend that BCCI's vice-president, Mr. Rajeev Shukla, has already issued a statement. We have been informed that making a last-minute alteration is challenging, and we are striving to make arrangements for the orderly execution of the matches. We have conferred with the city's police commissioner, who has reassured us of full assistance," the HCA official added.
While Pakistan and Sri Lanka would have ideally wanted to practice at the venue itself, now Hyderabad Cricket Association will arrange nets facilities at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad. HCA even feared that such close proximity between matches may affect turnout, but they are planning the best they could to ensure that it is not a problem.
"We surmised that Sri Lanka and Pakistan would wish to practice at the Uppal Stadium itself, but this won't be feasible due to the schedule. However, we have been informed that practice facilities can be arranged at an alternate venue. We will organize this at the Gymkhana ground," Prasad added.