The World Cup schedule may see a slight tweak following revelations that Ahmedabad police have reportedly expressed their inability to provide security for the India-Pakistan game on October 15 as it coincides with the first day of the sacred Navaratri festival. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is believed to be exploring alternatives, one of them being to advance the match by a day to October 14.

However, the option, on the face of it, is easier thought than implemented. With Pakistan playing a game against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad just two days earlier, on October 12, it may not be possible for the team to play the high-voltage game 48 hours later.

Besides, there are two other games scheduled for October 14 - New Zealand versus Bangladesh in Chennai (starting at 10:30 am) and England versus Afghanistan in New Delhi, starting at 2 pm. Adding a third match on the same day, that to an India-Pakistan contest, may cause concerns for the broadcasters and result in logistical and operational nightmares for the organizers.

At this time, it appears that the BCCI is exploring various options. However, there has not been any formal communication to the International Cricket Council (ICC) or the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), although some feelers may have been given to both bodies. Cricbuzz reached out to the ICC and Ahmedabad city police for a comment but is yet to receive a formal reply. There was no response from the BCCI either.

It is now evident that merely advancing the India-Pakistan match date may not solve the problem. The alteration will likely have a domino effect, and this is the matter that the BCCI is believed to be wrestling with. It is expected that some sort of solution may be hammered out at the meeting of the hosting associations, scheduled for Thursday, in New Delhi.

The World Cup starts on October 5 and concludes on November 19, with Ahmedabad being the venue of both matches.

(With inputs from agencies)