India denied visas forT20 World Cup for Blind, claims Pakistan Blind Cricket Council

Pakistan team is all set to miss the 3rd edition of the T20 World Cup for Blind in India even as the tournament got underway on December 6. Pakistan were scheduled to take on South Africa on the opening day of the tournament in New Delhi but their arrival was initially delayed due to visa issues.

However, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), in a statement, said on Tuesday that the team were denied visas for the World Cup in India. Pakistan's opener against South Africa was rescheduled due to the delay in visa but the PBCC has expressed disappointment after its inablity to get to India to be part of the World Cup.

"Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, with sheer disappointment, would like to update that India has denied visas of Pakistan Blind Cricket Team to participate in T20 World Cup Cricket of the Blind to be held in India from December 5 to 17," the PBCC said in a



statement.

PBCC claimed that Pakistan had the opportunity to win the tournament in India, highlighting that the Green Shirts had finished as runner-up in 2012 and 2017 editions of the T20 World Cup for Blind. The PBCC also said Pakistan had beaten India in their last five encounters stretching across 2021 and 2022.

The PBCC also claimed that the Ministry of External Affairs India denied the Pakistan team clearance based on "Political Ground".

“The PBCC strongly condemned this discriminating act of India as sports should be above regional politics, and particularly the Special Persons mega sports events would be treated fairly and all teams must be given equal chances to compete the event. Our counterpart Blind Cricket Association in India pleaded with their government for Pakistan’s clearance but nothing was heard (sic)," it added.