T20 World Cup: BCCI gets visa assurance for Pakistan players, media

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the International Cricket Council that the Indian government will issue visas to the Pakistan cricketers and members of media for this year’s T20 World Cup in India.

With regards to visas for the Pakistan fans, decision will be taken by the ministry in due course.

“Since it is an ICC event, the government has approved the visa process for the players and the media. More discussions will take place over the next few months,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani had given ultimatum to BCCI for visa approval for the Men in Green by March 31.  

Meanwhile on April 1, the ICC issued a statement, after the ICC Board and Committee meetings, where it confirmed that the matter should be resolved within a month.

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Both countries have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012, due to strained relations between the two neighbours.

Pakistan last toured India for ODIs and T20Is in 2012-13, while the two sides last played a Test match in 2007. The Men in Blue toured Pakistan in 2006 and have not visited there since.

They now only face each other at ICC events such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.