ISLAMABAD: The ODI World Cup warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place behind closed doors in India’s Hyderabad, a report by cricket website ESPNcricinfo said on Wednesday, after the Indian police failed to provide assurance about arranging adequate security for the fixture.
Before Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Oct. 6, the 1992 champions will play New Zealand on Sept. 29 in Hyderabad in a warm-up fixture, followed by another against Australia on Oct. 3. However, media reports state the Hyderabad Police have informed the hosts of the match, the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) that they cannot guarantee adequate security since the fixture is scheduled a day after two major festivals that would involve mass gatherings in the city, the Ganesh Visarjan and Milad-un-Nabi, will take place in the city.
“The ODI World Cup warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand, on September 29 in Hyderabad, will be played behind closed doors (without spectators in attendance) after the local police failed to provide assurance about arranging adequate security for the game,” ESPNcricinfo stated in its report.
Fans who bought tickets to see the two teams play each other will be impacted by the decision. The report could not confirm whether fans have been alerted about the development by Bookmyshow, the official ticketing partners for the World Cup. Despite the hiccups, the HCA is adamant on hosting the match.
“With the tickets sold and the broadcast plans set in stone, it was not possible to shift the match date,” the report added.
Pakistan are playing four (two warm-up, two group games) of their eleven matches in the World Cup at Hyderabad.
After much wrangling, Pakistan announced in August it would send its cricket team to India to participate in the World Cup. However, Pakistan’s foreign office had expressed “deep concerns” over the team’s safety in the country due to political tensions with India.
The announcement came amid India’s refusal to play its share of the Asia Cup matches on Pakistani soil due to political reasons. India’s refusal ultimately forced Pakistan to agree to a “hybrid model” which saw the majority of the Asia Cup matches being held in India, despite Pakistan being the host country.
After the Netherlands, Pakistan will take on Sri Lanka on Oct. 10 before facing India in a high-octane clash on Oct. 14 in Ahmedabad.
Pakistan, New Zealand to play World Cup warm-up match in India behind closed doors
https://arab.news/m2b63
Pakistan, New Zealand to play World Cup warm-up match in India behind closed doors
- Hyderabad Police say cannot guarantee adequate security since match takes place a day after two major festivals in the city
- Indian cricket board has so far not commented on the issue which is likely to impact fans who have bought tickets for the match
E1 World Championship opens 2026 season in Jeddah with expanded field, growing global profile
- Season’s opener features record 10 teams
JEDDAH: The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF will launch its new season in Jeddah, with the Red Sea city once again hosting the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, and champions Team Brady beginning their title defense against an expanded and competitive field.
Set against Jeddah’s Red Sea coastline, the season-opening E1 Jeddah GP 2026, which takes place over Jan. 23-24, will feature a record 10 teams racing the cutting-edge E1 RaceBirds, underlining the rapid growth of the championship and its ambitions as a global competition spanning four continents.
Team Brady are the outfit to beat, having claimed the Champions of the Water title in 2024 and 2025. However, competition is expected to be fiercer than ever, with several teams strengthening their lineups ahead of the new campaign.
Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club join the championship for 2026, adding further depth to the grid with a mix of experienced and emerging pilots. Team Rafa, who finished just 11 points behind Team Brady last season after a title fight that went down to the final laps, are widely regarded as one of the leading contenders and will be aiming to make an early statement in Jeddah.
Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James also return to race on home waters, one year on from their E1 debut. Carrying local pride, the team will be looking to build on last season’s momentum in front of Saudi fans.
The world-class field is further strengthened by a roster of high-profile, celebrity-backed teams, including Will Smith’s Team Westbrook, DJ Steve Aoki’s Team Aoki, Team Drogba, led by football legend Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire, and Team Miami, featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Marc Anthony.
Fans will be able to get close to the action across qualifying and race day, with on-water viewing available from the E1 Fan Zone. The area will give visitors the chance to see the E1 RaceBirds up close and will feature a gaming arena with simulator and virtual reality experiences, as well as a VOX cinema screening of “Zootopia 2.” Merchandise outlets and a range of food and beverage options will also be available, creating a family-friendly race-day experience.
Beyond the racing, E1’s return to Saudi Arabia reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in shaping the future of electric sport and sustainable mobility. The championship serves as a living laboratory for electric propulsion systems, accelerating innovation that can influence marine transport while also supporting broader conversations around ocean protection.
As part of its partnership with E1, Formula E’s Driving Force Presented by PIF E360 is hosting its educational program in Jeddah this week. The initiative aims to inspire students aged 8 to 18 to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as sustainability, through the lens of electric racing.
The program reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025 alone, with a further 50,000 targeted this year, taking its reach to over 100,000 young people worldwide.
On the sporting side, PIF’s commitment to excellence will again be recognized through the PIF Pilot of the Day award, presented after finals day to honor standout skill and performance over the race weekend.
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of E1, said: “Starting our 2026 season in Jeddah is a powerful statement for E1. The region represents ambition, innovation and a clear vision for the future, and the Red Sea provides the perfect environment as our largest grid yet of 10 teams begin their battle to be crowned 2026 Champions of the Water.”
The Jeddah race is set to deliver high-intensity competition, renewed rivalries and an early glimpse into the future of high-performance racing on water.
