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Pakistan Blind Cricket Team's Visa Cleared By MHA For World Cup: Report

Osama Shafeeqe

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Jul 3, 2016
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India has turned down the visas of the Pakistan blind cricket team for the ongoing T20 World Cup on “political grounds”, it emerged on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) said India had denied the team the visas for the tournament which is taking place in the neighbouring country from Dec 5 to 17.

“This unfortunate incident has left the Pakistan blind cricket team in the lurch,” the council said, pointing out that the country had been runners-up in 2012 and 2017.

The statement comes days after the Indian Express reported that the Pakistani team would soon be issued visas in order to participate in the competition. The report quoted Cricket Association for the Blind in India President Mahantesh GK as saying the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was working in this regard.

The official also expressed confidence that the team would receive their visas. According to the report, the two teams’ clash was scheduled for December 7 (tomorrow).

In the statement issued today, the PBCC highlighted that Pakistan had beaten current T20 world champion India five times consecutively during two tri-nation competitions in 2021 and 2022, winning both the events.

“It was highly likely that Pakistan and India would have locked horns in the final of [the] ongoing World Cup and considering the current form of [the] Green Shirts, Pakistan had high chances to win the World Cup,” the statement said.

The PBCC went on to say that as per the information available, the Indian MEA had denied the players clearance on “political grounds”.

“The PBCC strongly [condemns] this discriminating act of India as sports should be above regional politics […] Our counterpart Blind Cricket Association in India pleaded [with] their government for Pakistan’s clearance but nothing was heard.”

The statement added that the Indian government’s “hatred” of Pakistan had also violated the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

“This discriminating act will have serious consequence 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.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1724968/i...s-for-t20-world-cup-on-political-grounds-pbcc
 
That's very low and disgusting of India but not surprised considering the current Ruling government in India and the general mindset of the people.
 
good decision , i support this . but they have to be consistent with it , they should also deny the WC visa for our Cricket team for next year .
 
I believe Pakistan is one of the top teams in blind cricket.

Pretty sure they have won a few world cups too and at least reached the finals on other occasions.
 
Pakistan Blind Cricket Team's Visa Cleared By MHA For World Cup: Report

Decks have been cleared for the Pakistan blind cricket team to take part in the ongoing Blind Cricket World Cup in India after the Union home ministry's visa clearance to 34 players and officials of the neighbouring country. After its nod, the Ministry of External Affairs will issue the Visas to the Pakistani players and officials so that they can travel to India for the December 5-17 tournament. The home ministry has given clearance for issuance of visa to 34 Pakistani players and officials to take part in the Blind Cricket World Cup, a ministry official said.

Earlier in the day, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) had claimed in a statement that its team could not get clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs in India.

"This unfortunate incident has left the Pakistan blind cricket team in the lurch," the PBCC had said in a statement.

The PBCC said "it strongly condemns this discriminating act of India as sports should be above regional politics".

Pakistan finished second in the last T20 World Cup for the Blind.

Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) had also said it would release an updated tournament schedule as Pakistan team was not participating.

With Pakistan team getting clearance, the 12-day tournament will have seven teams competing for the top honours.

Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and South Africa are the other nations competing in the meet.

Matches will be played in Faridabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Bengaluru where the final will be held.

NDTV
 
Probably trialling this for the WC next year to test run the reaction. That's why I'd boycott the WC there.
 
This is pitiful. This is disgusting.

And worst of all, there is and likely will not be any accountability for such shameful conduct.
 
Probably trialling this for the WC next year to test run the reaction. That's why I'd boycott the WC there.

I would support Pakistan's decision to boycott the world cup if it were to do so. I would not watch the world cup either. This devolving boundary between politics and sports is pathetic and is just the side show that helps guys like modi stay in power.
 
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