India vs Pakistan: Indian Foreign Ministry refusing to allow visas to Pakistani Blind cricket team has a triple effect. With India hosting the Hockey World Cup 2023 and ICC World Cup 2023, Pakistan teams’ participation is now in doubt. Despite the government of India declaring that Pakistani teams will get visa, the Blind T20 World Cup had hiccup on the first day. It has been delayed. Reason: Pakistani team did not get visa. Follow Blind T20 World Cup 2022 & Indian Cricket LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN.
Tournaments that are in jeopardy:
- FIH Hockey World Cup 2023
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
The Men in Green were supposed to play the opening game of the tournament against South Africa in Delhi. However, the tournament has now been delayed. Pakistan Blind Cricket Association claimed that the Indian foreign ministry has not issued the No-Objection Certificate to the Pakistani team. PBCA’s chairman and the president of World Blind Cricket Council Sultan Shah confirmed that later.
“We didn’t receive visas because India’s foreign ministry didn’t issue NOC,” shared Shah. Our team is in Lahore, waiting for visas. If we get permission to travel today, all the matches will be rescheduled,” he said.
India vs Pakistan: Indian Foreign Ministry makes U-TURN on VISA for Pakistani Blind Cricket Team, UNCERTAINTY over Pakistan’s participation in ICC World Cup 2023, Hockey World Cup, Follow LIVE Updates
India vs Pakistan: Uncertainty over ICC World Cup 2023 and Hockey World Cup
With IMF not issuing the visas to Pakistan’s Blind cricket team, dark clouds are hovering over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming 50-over World Cup and Hockey World Cup. India will host both events next year. The FIH granted the hosting rights to India on the condition that there will be no hiccups in allowing visas due to diplomatic tensions.
However, now, it is not clear whether the Indian government will take it on a case-to-case basis. If the Pakistani team does not get visa, it is likely that Hockey World Cup will be snatched away in favour of any other country. While the Hockey World Cup is set to start on January 13. the 50-over World Cup will be played in October and November next year.
The more pressing matter is the Asia Cup 2023 Cricket in Pakistan and ICC World Cup 2023 in India. The BCCI and the PCB are already at loggerheads over India’s travel to Pakistan.
While the BCCI has dismissed the idea that India will travel to Pakistan for Asia Cup 2023, PCB in return has threatened to pull out. PCB chief Ramiz Raja said that the Pakistan cricket team won’t travel to India for the World Cup in 2023 if India don’t visit for Asia Cup.
“If Pakistan doesn’t take part in the World Cup scheduled in India next year, who will watch it? We have a clear stand: If the Indian team comes here then we will go for the World Cup. If they don’t come then they can play the World Cup without us,” said Ramiz.
India vs Pakistan: Indian Foreign Ministry makes U-TURN on VISA for Pakistani Blind Cricket Team, UNCERTAINTY over Pakistan’s participation in ICC World Cup 2023, Hockey World Cup, Follow LIVE Updates
But BCCI has already clarified that it is a decision of the Indian government. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said there is no reason for to worry. However, with the incident of Blind World Cup, world bodies may not grant India hosting rights.
“All teams who qualify for (the World Cup) are invited (to compete on Indian soil). Many times, Pakistan teams have come to India and played. I feel India is not in a position to be dictated by someone and there is no reason for anyone to do that. I expect all countries to come and compete,” Anurag Thakur said last month.
The Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in September of next year. However, BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also the president of the Asian Cricket Council said that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the Continental championship and demanded that the event be moved to a neutral venue.
India vs Pakistan: Indian Foreign Ministry makes U-TURN on VISA for Pakistani Blind Cricket Team, UNCERTAINTY over Pakistan’s participation in ICC World Cup 2023, Hockey World Cup, Follow LIVE Updates
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