BRIDGETOWN, Oct 20: A cricket World Cup warm-up match between Ireland and Pakistan next year was cancelled due to a scheduling glitch, tournament organisers said on Thursday.

The countries were slated to face each other on March 6 in Trinidad in a preparation match, then again during the event's first round on March 17 in Jamaica.

Neither teams complained about meeting each other twice, but cricket organisers decided to change the matches, the cricket World Cup office in Kingston, Jamaica, said in a statement.

Ireland will now play South Africa on March 5, while Pakistan play Canada on March 6. Both matches will be played at the Sir Frank Worrell Oval in Trinidad.

Organisers said they will contact those holding tickets for the affected matches, but did not say how they will proceed. A call placed to their Jamaica offices went unanswered.

The pre-tournament portion of the World Cup will be played from March 5-9. The main portion of the event will open on March 13 at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The final will be played at Kensington Oval in Barbados on April 28.—AP