Ahmedabad is buzzing with cricket excitement as the ICC World Cup 2023 clash between archrivals India and Pakistan approaches.
The excitement is so intense that a visit to a hospital near the match site uncovers an unusual tendency.
Numerous hospitals have seen an unexpected flood of cricket fans purchasing check-up “packages” that involve an overnight stay, intentionally timing their health check-ups with the 50-over showcase’s most anticipated match.
Several doctors have told local media that the rush for check-up packages is a clever way of acquiring affordable housing.
Hotel fees have risen up to 20 times, making hospital stays a more cost-effective option.
According to Tushar Patel, President of the Ahmedabad Medical Association, “we have come across some cases of people coming to watch the India-Pakistan match also taking an appointment for health check-ups and staying in hospitals.”
The Ahmedabad Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association, on the other hand, has instructed its members not to accommodate such fans.
Bharat Gadhavi, the organization’s president, said, “We have asked our members not to entertain such requests.” Non-patients are not welcome in hospitals.”
This rivalry, raised by three wars and stretched further by the 2008 Mumbai incident, has heightened expectations of a clash between neighboring countries.
Although geopolitical tensions have an impact on bilateral cricket, multi-team contests such as the ICC World Cup continue to fuel this rivalry.
Both India and Pakistan enter this match with perfect records, having won their first two games in the competition.
The initial set of tickets for the game sold out within an hour of going on sale in August.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) responded by issuing an additional 14,000 tickets earlier this month.
However, the high demand has resulted in excessive resales, and local police have detained four people for selling bogus tickets.
As fans from around the area rush to Ahmedabad for this cricketing show, air and train costs have also risen.
The Ahmedabad Stadium, with a stunning 134,000 capacity, will prove to be the ideal battleground for this passionate cricketing rivalry.
According to Indian media reports, the match would begin with a opening ceremony and will attend by Bollywood luminaries such as Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth.
As Ahmedabad has been declared a “no-drone zone” on match day, 11,000 security officers will be deployed to ensure a safe and memorable event.
#WATCH | Gujarat | On security arrangements for the India vs Pakistan ICC World Cup match scheduled for October 14, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik says, "Ahmedabad Police has made a lot of arrangements. Besides the total arrangement for the match, we have extra… pic.twitter.com/9yt3XKBsXF
— ANI (@ANI) October 9, 2023
This match is historic because it is Pakistan’s first tour of India since the 2016 T20 World Cup.
Despite India’s flawless record against Pakistan in ODI World Cups, the players’ friendship shines through.
At the recent Asia Cup, Shaheen Afridi made a thoughtful gesture by gifting Jasprit Bumrah for his newborn baby.
Best moment of the day 🥹
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 10, 2023
Shaheen Afridi gets a gift for new dad Jasprit Bumrah ❤️
"May Allah always keep him happy" 🧿pic.twitter.com/0mZUzaJ26W
For some, such as Indian Liyakat Khan, whose daughter is married to Pakistan’s fast bowler Hasan Ali, match is personal.
He is looking forward to reuniting with his family in Pakistan and welcoming his first grandchild.
As Ahmedabad prepares for this epic clash, the cricketing world waits for the collision of the giants.
