• India refuses visas to Pakistan blind cricket team for T20 World Cup

    Sports
    India refuses visas to Pakistan blind cricket team for T20 World Cup
    The Indian Blind Cricket Association requested with their government for Pakistan's approval, but the PBCC reported that nothing was heard.

    Digital Desk: The Pakistani blind cricket team has been refused entry into India for the ongoing Blind Cricket World Cup. The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) claimed in a statement released on Tuesday that the team was unable to receive approval from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) released a statement saying, "This sad situation has left the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team in the lurch." 

    The statement added, "Considering the current form of the Green Shirts, Pakistan had excellent prospects to win the World Cup. It was extremely possible that Pakistan and India would have faced off in the World Cup final."

    From December 5 to 17, the competition will be held in India.

    The PBCC stated that "sports should be above regional politics" and "it strongly condemns this discriminatory behaviour of India."

    The Indian Blind Cricket Association requested with their government for Pakistan's approval, but the PBCC reported that nothing was heard.

    "This discriminatory move will have major ramifications for the sport of blind cricket worldwide, and World Blind Cricket will take stern action against them and may not allow India to host future international games," the organisation said. In the most recent T20 World Cup for the Blind, Pakistan came in second.

    The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) verified the news and promised to publish a revised tournament schedule now that the Pakistani team won't be competing.

    According to a statement from CABI, "Pakistan Blind Cricket Team will not be permitted to participate in the ongoing third T20 World Cup for the Blind being conducted in India," despite CABI taking all the necessary procedures to finalise their visa application. The 12-day event still has South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and India.

    There will be matches in Faridabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, and Bengaluru, where the championship match will take place.