India Today stated that the Indian government has not cleared their blind cricket team for the Blind T20 World Cup in Pakistan just days away. The Sports Ministry has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the team’s participation, but the MHA and MEA must approve it.
The fourth Blind Cricket T20 World Cup begins November 23 in Lahore and ends December 3. India will defend its championship title against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, South Africa, Nepal, and Afghanistan. India has won the T20 World Cup in 2012, 2017, and 2022.
A match between host Pakistan and South Africa will open the tournament on November 23. CABI General Secretary Shailendra Yadav said they have been waiting for government approval for nearly two weeks. He said, “We need yes or no from the government.
The last India blind team bilateral series in Pakistan was 2014.
“In 2018, the [India] government denied the clearance to visit Pakistan and in 2023, the Pakistan team skipped the tournament when it was held in India,” Yadav told India Today.
Yadav replied: “We will follow government orders. We will go if they say yes and not if they say no. We need government clarity.” Sources stated the PCB will take a hard position, echoing the government’s advice, and want a written explanation from the BCCI.
