After a lot of delay, and tension, finally there is some good news in store for Pakistan. Babar Azam-led team’s visas is likely to be issued today. To note, Pakistan were set to travel to India for World Cup today. However, the delay in visas postponed their departure.
The sources mentioned that the Indian embassy in Pakistan is expected to receive a non-objection certificate from its home ministry later today, following which it will immediately issue the visas.
As the squad did not receive the visas earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had intimated the International Cricket Council, which directed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to fasten the process.
There was also tension among the group as the possible delay in visas could have hampered their WC plans.
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This is not the first time that Pakistan have hit a visa snag on India tour. The football team for the SAFF Championship could only arrive in India on the day of the match after several delays in the issuance of visas.
Pakistan Cricket: Visas likely to be issued today for Babar Azam & Co, limited fans only to get visas
Meanwhile, BCCI and ICC are still working on limited visas for Pakistani fans in World Cup. In 2016, 250 visas per match were granted for Pakistani fans and journalists. While the number is still unclear, the BCCI & the ICC are working with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for a limited number of visas. Like T20 World Cup 2016, the fans will get multi-city visa.
“I am not sure of the number yet. But we are working with the MEA along with ICC on some number of visas per match. We are hopeful that some Pakistani fans will be able to attend the team’s matches. Yes, it will be multi-city visa but as far as I know,” the BCCI official told InsideSport.
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Pakistan and India haven’t played bilateral series in any format since 2012-13. Pakistan last toured India for ODI and T20I series. The two arch-rivals played a Test against each other back in 2007.
Pakistan’s schedule for World Cup
Pakistan World Cup Schedule
| Match No | Date | Day | Team 1 | Team 2 | Venue | City | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | October 6 | Friday | Pakistan | Netherlands | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| 9 | October 10 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium | Hyderabad | 2:00 PM |
| 13 | October 14 | Saturday | India | Pakistan | Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 2:00 PM |
| 18 | October 20 | Friday | Australia | Pakistan | M Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | 2:00 PM |
| 22 | October 23 | Monday | Pakistan | Afghanistan | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| 26 | October 27 | Friday | Pakistan | South Africa | MA Chidambaram Stadium | Chennai | 2:00 PM |
| 31 | October 31 | Tuesday | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
| 35 | November 4 | Saturday | New Zealand | Pakistan | M Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bengaluru | 10:30 AM |
| 45 | November 11 | Saturday | England | Pakistan | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 2:00 PM |
The day matches will start at 10am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) while all other matches will be day-night fixtures starting at 1:30pm (PST).
If Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Kolkata.
If India qualify for the semi-finals, they will play in Mumbai unless playing against Pakistan, in which case they will play in Kolkata.
Squad
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafiq, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), M Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir.
Reserves
Mohammad Haris, Zaman Khan, Abrar Ahmed.
Editors pick
