The Blind T20 World Cup 2022 was all set to commence in India on December 5th, with the opener and the opening ceremony scheduled to take place in Delhi. However, the tournament faces a delay since Pakistan Cricket Team has not yet reached the venue.
The reason behind the men in green’s delay in reaching India is that Indian agencies are yet to issue visas to Pakistani cricketers. The Blind Cricket Team awaits in Lahore to get a green signal from India in order to fly there to take part in the event.
Pakistan were all set to reach India on December 4th, with their first encounter scheduled against South Africa on December 7th. According to the schedule, they are set to tackle India on December 8th. However, since the tournament delays, we might see a new schedule released soon.
According to Pakistan Blind Cricket Association’s chairman’s statements,
“We didn’t receive visas because India’s foreign ministry didn’t issue NOC,”
“Our team is in Lahore, waiting for visas. If we get permission to travel today, all the matches will be rescheduled,”
As far as the participants are concerned, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Bangladesh and Nepal are all set to don the country’s jerseys in the event.
Pakistan Blind Cricket team's visa for India has been denied.
Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, with sheer disappointment, would like to update that India has denied visas to participate in T20 World Cup of the Blind to be held in India from 5th to 17th December 2022.
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 6, 2022
India’s unwillingness to issue visas to Pakistani players for the Blind T20 World Cup 2022 might have severe consequences on Asia Cup 2023, set to be hosted by Pakistan, and the World Cup 2023, set to be hosted by India – Both teams will barely pay a visit to each other’s nations to take part in the tournaments.
