NEW DELHI: The Indian home ministry is reported to have cleared the issuance of visa to 34 players and officials of the Pakistan blind cricket team for the World Cup in India, two days after the commencement of the event.
The World Cup was scheduled to take place from Dec 5 -17, and teams from India, Bangladesh, Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Pakistan were scheduled to play.
This came just a day after Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) said in a statement the other day that India had denied the team the visas for the tournament.
Also read: India denies visas to Pakistani team for Blind T20 Cricket World Cup
“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.
However, reports circulated throughout Indian media today suggested that the Indian home ministry has given clearance for issuance of visa to 34 Pakistani players and officials to take part in the Blind Cricket World Cup.
After its nod, the Indian external affairs ministry is expected to issue the visas to the Pakistani players and officials so that they can travel to India for the ongoing tournament.
Matches of the World Cup event will be played in Faridabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Indore and Bengaluru where the final will be held. Pakistan had finished second in the last World Cup for the Blind.
