The sports ministry has finally given the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and the Indian blind cricket team permission to play in the forthcoming T20 World Cup which will be hosted by Pakistan for the first time in history. However, they are still awaiting clearance from the External Affairs and Home ministries. However, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) chairman Syed Sultan Shah, responded strongly to the development in India. According to Shah, the Indian team's visas have already been granted, thus it makes no difference if they attend the competition or not.
Sports Tak has a copy of NOC in possession which reads that the Ministry has no objection from the sports angle for participation of the Indian Men's Cricket Team in the 4th T20 World Cup Cricket for the Blind in Pakistan from 22nd November to 3rd December 2024 at No Cost to the Government, subject to the clearances from Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of External Affairs.
The Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) may approach the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) & Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to obtain their clearances by providing them with all the information they need regarding the aforementioned event, including dates, venues, and the participating teams and officials.
"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," said CABI General Secretary Shailender Yadav.
The Blind T20 World Cup 2024 will start in Pakistan for the first time. This World Cup is to be hosted by Pakistan from 23rd November to 3rd December. Teams from countries like Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal and Afghanistan will participate.
India had captured this title last time and if they travel to Pakistan, they will be the defending champions and will claim the title once again. The matches of Blind T20 World Cup 2024 are to be played in Lahore and Multan.
