Picture Credit: X
After opting out to participate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan, in the latest development, the Indian blind cricket team has reportedly also withdrawn from the upcoming T20 World Cup after the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission to travel to Pakistan. According to sources informing PTI, the blind cricket team received a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sports Ministry, but was awaiting a clearance from the central government.
But as per the fresh developments, the Ministry of External Affairs have denied permission to travel to Pakistan due to the ongoing tensions between the two countries. The decision follows Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) decision to not send the Indian team for the Champions Trophy, set to take place in February-March 2025.
Team India to not travel for T20 World Cup for Blind in Pakistan
Sailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian blind cricket association confirmed the decision of the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday, November 19. The Ministry has denied permission to travel across border and have informed to pull out of the tournament, which is scheduled to be held from November 23 till December 4.
Earlier, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Chairman Syed Sultan Shah clarified that Pakistan had issued visas to the Indian cricket team, but after reports of the defending champions not travelling to their neighbouring nation surfaced, he added that the tournament might be held without the Indian cricket team.
Speaking of the Blind T20 World Cup, India are the defending champions of the tournament, having won all three editions that have taken place so far. In T20 World Cup for Blind in 2022, India beat Bangladesh by 120 runs to clinch their third successive title at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
