‘The discriminating act will have serious consequences’- Pakistan claim India rejected Pakistan cricket team visas on ‘political grounds’
India have rejected the Pakistan cricket team’s visa to travel to India for Blind T20 World Cup. The tournament that was slated to begin on Tuesday in New Delhi has been delayed following uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation.
“This unfortunate incident has left Pakistan Blind Cricket Team in the lurch. Pakistan was a serious contender to win the World Cup as Pakistan has been the runners-up twice in the earlier two edition of this format of World Cups (2012 and 2017) and has beaten the current T20 World Champion India five times consecutively in the last five encounters during two Tri-Nation competitions in 2021 and 2022 and won both the events,” Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) said in a statement.
The statement further read, “It was highly likely that Pakistan and India would have locked horns in the final of ongoing World Cup and considering the current form of Green Shirts, Pakistan had the high chances to win the World Cup.”
“As per the available information the Ministry of External Affairs India has denied Pakistan Blind Cricket Clearance on Political Ground. PBCC strongly condemned this discriminating act of India as Sports should be above the regional politics and particularly the Special Persons mega sports events would be treated fairly and all teams must be given equal chances to compete the event. Our counterpart Blind Cricket Association in India pleaded their Govt for Pakistan clearance but nothing was heard.”
“With reference to the information received from the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council, Pakistan Blind Cricket Team will not be able to participate in the ongoing 3rd T20 World Cup for the Blind, being held in India in spite of CABI taking all required steps to process their application for VISA. CABI will be releasing an updated tournament schedule on account of Pakistan’s non-participation very soon,” the statement read.
The discriminating act will have serious consequences- Statement
The statement concluded with strong words for the global sport. “This discriminating act will have serious consequence[s] on global blind cricket as we at World Blind Cricket will take stern action against them and may not allow India to host future International events,” the statement said.
The controversy around India’s decision to not play in Asia Cup 2023 in Pakistan and Pakistan’s to not play in ODI World Cup 2023 in India is expected to grow bigger following this decision.
