The warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023 in Hyderabad, India, will be held without spectators due to "security concerns."
The decision came after the Hyderabad city police cited two major religious festivals, Ganesh Visarjan and Eid Milad-un-Nabi, and expressed their inability to provide adequate security for the match scheduled for September 29.
According to an official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the processions associated with the festivals would continue late into the night, making it challenging for local police to ensure security for such a significant match. However, both teams will still receive full security during their stay and transit to the stadium.
The BCCI, along with the hosting association and ticketing partners, will arrange for refunds for spectators affected by the decision.
Previously, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) had requested a change in the schedule for back-to-back matches on October 9 and 10, involving New Zealand-Netherlands and Pakistan-Sri Lanka, respectively, due to security concerns. While a change in dates was not feasible, security authorities have accommodated this request.
It's worth noting that Pakistan is scheduled to play a total of eleven matches in the World Cup, with four of them, including two warm-up matches and two group games, set to take place in Hyderabad. The Pakistan team is expected to arrive in Hyderabad from Dubai on September 27.
