The Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has responded to a report by India Today regarding the Indian Blind Cricket team’s participation in the Blind T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3. India Today reported that the Indian team had received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from India’s Sports Ministry, but clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is still pending.
In response, PBCC Chairman Syed Sultan Shah clarified that the tournament will go ahead as planned, regardless of the Indian team’s participation. “All other teams are coming to Pakistan for the World Cup. If one team doesn’t show up, it won’t affect our preparations,” said Sultan Shah, reaffirming that Pakistan had already issued visas to the Indian team. He attributed the hold-up to the Indian government, which has not yet granted permission for the team to travel.
Shailendra Yadav, the General Secretary of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), expressed frustration, revealing that the Indian team has been awaiting government clearance for more than two weeks. “We just need yes or no from the government. Last time we visited Pakistan was in 2014 for a bilateral series. In 2018, the government denied the clearance to visit Pakistan and in 2023, the Pakistan team skipped the tournament held in India,” Yadav explained.
India has dominated the Blind T20 World Cup, winning all three editions held so far in 2012, 2017, and 2022. In the 2022 final, India defeated Bangladesh by 120 runs to secure their third consecutive title. Despite the current uncertainty regarding their participation, the Indian team remains the defending champion of the tournament.
Yadav also emphasized that the Indian team would follow the government’s decision on whether to travel. “We will go by whatever the government directs us. If they say yes, we will go, and if they say no, we will not go. We just need clarity from the government,” he added.
The situation continues to develop, with the Indian government’s decision still awaited, leaving the Blind T20 World Cup 2024’s lineup uncertain.
