Credits: BCCI/X
The Blind Indian cricket team along with the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) have got permission from the sports ministry of India to travel to Pakistan for the upcoming Blind T20 World Cup. However, they are yet to get approval from External Affairs and Home ministries. The 2024 Blind T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played from November 22 to December 3 in Pakistan, who are hosting the tournament for the first time.
The Sports Ministry of Indian already issued the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to (CABI) and the blind Indian cricket team. Apart from that, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) also confirmed that Pakistan government has issued visas for the players of the Indian team. However, the Indian government later denied the permission for the player to travel to the neighboring country for the upcoming Blind T20 World Cup.
If one team doesn’t show up, it won’t affect our preparations: PBCC Chairman
General Secretary of Cricket Association for the Blind in India, Shailendra Yadav has confirmed that they are waiting for government’s approval to travel to Pakistan for the 2024 Blind T20 World Cup. Apart from that, PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah also said that the tournament will not be affected if one team doesn’t show up as all the other participating teams are coming to Pakistan.
"All other teams are coming to Pakistan for the World Cup. If one team doesn’t show up, it won’t affect our preparations," Syed Sultan Shah was quoted as saying by India Today.
“It's been 15 days now that we are waiting for clearance, and we just need yes or no from the government. Last time we visited Pakistan was in 2014 for a bilateral series. In 2018, the government denied the clearance to visit Pakistan and in 2023, the Pakistan team skipped the tournament when it was held in India,” Shailendra Yadav confirmed in his statement.
