ICC Men’s World Cup 2023: Pakistan vs. New Zealand Warm-Up Match Goes Behind Closed Doors

The cricket world is abuzz with anticipation as the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023 comes close. There’s a slight twist in the tale for the warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently declared that this match will have no spectators.

Why,  Well, it’s all about safety. The match is set to happen in Hyderabad, India, but it coincides with some big festivals in the area. These festivals are known to attract huge crowds, and the local security authorities have suggested that it’s best to play the game behind closed doors to avoid any potential issues.

In a statement, the BCCI said, “The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 warm-up match between New Zealand and Pakistan scheduled to take place in Hyderabad on September 29 will now take place behind closed doors as per the advice of the local security agencies.”

If you’re one of the cricket fans who bought tickets for this match, don’t worry. You’ll get a full refund, so you won’t be out of pocket.

This match is just the beginning of the warm-up games before the main tournament kicks off. Pakistan has another warm-up match lined up against Australia on October 3. On the same day, there are two other warm-up matches – Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka in Guwahati and South Africa against Afghanistan in Thiruvananthapuram. Interestingly, these two games will have spectators.

The warm-up matches are like a sneak peek before the grand show begins on October 5. Pakistan’s first official match in the tournament will be against the Netherlands on October 6.

It’s worth noting that planning this World Cup has been quite a puzzle due to the festivals that draw large crowds. Some matches had to be rescheduled to ensure safety and to avoid clashing with these festivals. For example, the much-anticipated India-Pakistan match was moved from October 15 to October 14 to avoid overlapping with the Navratri festival in Gujarat.

Read More: Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 Squad Hasan Ali May Replace Naseem Shah

While Pakistan vs. New Zealand warm-up match might lack the cheers of the crowd, it’s all in the name of safety and a smooth tournament ahead. Cricket enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting the action that’s just around the corner.