Updated News Around the World

ICC World Cup 2023: Pakistan team gets visa, cleared to enter India

Only a week ahead of the much awaited ODI World Cup 2023 to begin in India, Pakistan Men’s Cricket team was issued Indian visas, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed, hours after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised serious concerns, according to a report. Notably, the visa clearance came less than 48 hours before Pakistan’s scheduled travel to India in the wee hours of 27 September.

The concern surfaced as Pakistan Men’s cricket team is scheduled to travel to Hyderabad in India for the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. They play their first warm-up game against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29.

“Visas have been issued to Pakistan,” an ICC spokesperson told news agency PTI.

The confirmation from the ICC came after the PCB wrote to ICC CEO Geoff Allardice on Monday over the visa delay besides claiming the anxious wait has adversely impacted the team’s preparation for the 50-over showpiece.

Pakistan were supposed to have a two-day team bonding session in Dubai before their scheduled arrival in Hyderabad on September 27 but was cancelled due to the uncertainty over Indian visa.

“Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels ???? Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!” Click here!

The Babar Azam-led side plays two warm-up games and as many World Cup matches in Hyderabad starting with the practice fixture against New Zealand.

In the letter addressed to Allardice, the PCB also claimed that its concerns over visa being granted to players, team officials, fans and journalists for the World Cup in India have not been addressed for more than three years. It also added that such inequitable treatment to Pakistan will not be acceptable.

Pakistan last visited India for the T20 World Cup in 2016. The arch-rivals only play each other in the Asia Cup and ICC tournaments due to the tense relations between the two countries.

PCB sources informed PTI that flight tickets of around 35 members have been re-booked now that the Dubai trip is off. The team will now leave for Hyderabad from Lahore in the wee hours of September 27 and reach Hyderabad via Dubai in the night.

“The warm-up game is less than four days away and players are in a state of uncertainty. If the players are having to experience delays, one can only wonder what will happen to visa applications of fans and journalists,” a source said.

Visa applications from Pakistan require clearances from three ministries — home, external affairs and sports.

Pakistan’s second warm-up game will be against Australia on October 3, also in Hyderabad.

They will remain in the city for their opening two World Cup games against Netherlands and Sri Lanka on October 6 and 10 respectively before flying to Ahmedabad for the big game against hosts India on October 14.

Only two members from the current Pakistan squad have toured India for cricket — Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Agha.

“Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels ???? Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!” Click here!

Catch all the Sports News and Updates on Live Mint.
Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.

More
Less

Updated: 25 Sep 2023, 09:33 PM IST

For all the latest Sports News Click Here 

 For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News

Read original article here

Denial of responsibility! NewsUpdate is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.