Pakistan’s warm-up match against New Zealand in the World Cup 2023 will be played in an empty stadium after Indian police failed to make adequate security arrangements for large crowds.

The Hyderabad police has expressed its inability to provide security due to two religious festivals being held in the city at the same time as the match, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo.

Four days after cancelling the attendance of crowds, the BCCI announced that the people who bought tickets would receive refunds.

Security concerns and a clash with religious festivals have already led to a change in the date for Pakistan’s match against India, which was brought forward from October 15 to October 14.

Pakistan’s departure to India was delayed due to visa concerns as well, with the training schedule being affected as well.

Pakistan is set to begin its World Cup campaign with a match against the Netherlands on October 6.

India and Pakistan are bitter adversaries and only play cricket against each other in international tournaments due to longstanding political tensions.

Babar Azam’s team will take on New Zealand on Friday in the south Indian city of Hyderabad, where large crowds are expected to gather for a Hindu festival.

The 50-over showpiece tournament will begin on October 5 in Ahmedabad, with the city also hosting the hotly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on October 14.

Pakistan’s visit to India will be their first since the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup.

Visas for the Pakistan team to travel to India were issued on Monday, Indian and Pakistani media reported, just 48 hours before they were due to travel.