Pakistan team visas were not granted by India's foreign ministry, according to the Pakistan Blind Cricket Association
07 December, 2022
PHOTO COURTESY: PBCC
Due to political pressure, India refused to grant visas to the Pakistan squad, so they could not compete in the Blind T20 World Cup.
Pakistan team visas were not granted by India's foreign ministry, according to the Pakistan Blind Cricket Association (PBCA).
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Pakistan, the top-ranked team in the world right now, will not be able to participate in the tournament.
"It is disappointing to see India once again playing politics in sports," PBCA's chairman Sultan Shah said.
"World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) will take strict action against India. They might face a ban on hosting events in the future," added Shah, who is also the president of WBCC.
The two-time runner-up Pakistan team was scheduled to depart for India on December 04, 2022. However, India refused to give visas to the 33-member Pakistani team.
Political policies have a significant impact on relations between Pakistan and India, whether it is in regular cricket or another particular form. Since 2012–2013, the two teams have only faced off in ICC (International Cricket Council) men's competitions.
Recent political pressure prevented India from agreeing to visit Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2023. Jay Shah, head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), and secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), made a controversial statement.
Before making any decisions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is awaiting an official announcement from the ACC. However, if India doesn't visit Pakistan for the Asian event next year, Pakistan will not travel to India for the ICC World Cup in 2023, according to PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja.
