The Indian blind cricket team has withdrawn from the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Pakistan, after the Ministry of External Affairs denied permission to cross the border, Indian media reported on Tuesday.
Shailendra Yadav, general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), confirmed this development to an Indian media outlet, saying that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the global event to be held from November 23 to December 3. .
Speaking to the media, Yadav said the blind cricket team had obtained a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry but was awaiting government approval.
However, according to the latest developments, the Middle East Airlines has denied granting permission to the blind team to participate in the upcoming World Cup.
“We were waiting for the last 25 days to get permission from the government to go to Pakistan. Now we can’t wait any longer as the tournament is about to start,” Yadav said.
“When I spoke to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over phone, they told us that we will not get any permission to go to Pakistan and we can cancel your tournament.
“They also told us that we will receive an official rejection letter as well. However, we have not received any official letter yet but based on our conversation with MEA we have decided not to go to Pakistan and will not participate in the T20 Blind World Cup.
He expressed his disappointment over the decision but assured that the Cricket Association would adhere to the MEA directives.
“Besides us, England, Australia and New Zealand will also not participate. Hence, India will become the fourth team not to participate in this tournament,” he added.
Despite India’s refusal, the 2024 T20 World Cup will go ahead as per schedule.
Pakistan Blind Cricket Board (PBCC) Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said, “All other teams will come to Pakistan to participate in the World Cup. If one team does not come, it will not affect our preparations.”
The development came amid reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that it will not send its men’s national team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, citing the International Cricket Confederation’s (ICC) directive. Federal government.