The Indian team is still awaiting clearances from Home and External Affairs ministries for the upcoming Blind T20 World Cup 2024 in Pakistan. On November 11, Sports Tak obtained a copy of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) Cricket Association for the Blind (CABI) and Indian blind cricket team receieved.
In response, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) chairman Syed Sultan Shah retortedly strongly to the developments in India. Shah said that visas to the Indian team have already been issued and it doesn't matter whether India show up for the tournament or not.
"All other teams are coming to Pakistan for the World Cup. If one team doesn’t show up, it won’t affect our preparations," he told Geo news.
Earlier, CABI General Secretary Shailender Yadav had expressed his frustration as he wants clarity instead of further delay in permissions.
"It's been 15 days now we are waiting for clearance and we just need yes or no from the government last time we visited Pakistan in 2014 for bilateral series , in 2018 government denied the clearance to visit Pakistan and in 2023 Pakistan team skipped the tournament when it was held in India," Shailender told Sports Tak.
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Defending champions India
The Indian team is currently the defending champions of the Blind T20 World Cup. The 2024 edition will kick off on November 23 and go on till December 23. Apart from India and Pakistan, the other teams are Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan.
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Hybrid model or South Africa will host Champions Trophy 2025
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already conveyed that Team India won't travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2024. ICC informed PCB about the decision and now hybrid model is expected to be the next course of action. If Pakistan don't agree to a hybrid model, the tournament in its entirety can be shifted to South Africa.
There have been reports that Pakistan may refuse to participate if they lose hosting rights to the mega event.
