The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has requested the BCCI to move the England vs Pakistan ODI World Cup game, scheduled to be played at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on November 12, to another date, suggesting November 11 as an alternative. The development came after the city police informed CAB that they are expecting enhanced security for the game as Pakistan are one of the teams. November 12 is also the date for Kalipujo, one of the city’s, and the region’s, most important Hindu festivals.
ESPNcricinfo understands that CAB officials had a meeting with city police authorities on Thursday, and were informed about the law-and-order concerns on the day of the festival. Following that, the association wrote to Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, requesting the date change.
Kolkata police’s position is not ideal managing a major religious event and a major cricket match on the same day.
CAB, and cricket fans in Kolkata, wouldn’t want to be in a situation where the big-ticket England vs Pakistan game is moved to another city, and it is understood the association officials have also reached out to Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of the state of West Bengal, to try and intervene.
The original schedule of the World Cup had Eden Gardens marked to host five games: Bangladesh vs Netherlands on October 28, Bangladesh vs Pakistan on October 31, India vs South Africa on November 5, the England vs Pakistan on November 12, and the second semi-final on November 16.
The World Cup is scheduled to begin with reigning champions England taking on New Zealand and end on November 5, but there is still no update on when the tickets will go on sale.