The World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) has revoked the hosting rights of India for the upcoming Blind Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled for next year, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
The decision comes in the wake of the stalemate between Pakistan and India over the hosting of ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The decision was taken during the 26th General Council meeting of the WBCC at a local hotel in Multan, with representatives from the cricket boards of Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Afghanistan in attendance. Meanwhile, officials from India, England, and New Zealand participated online.
During the meeting, Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) was re-elected as the President of the WBCC for a two-year term, while India’s Rajanish Henry was elected as the Secretary-General.
India was initially selected to host the upcoming Blind Cricket World Cup, but ongoing challenges, including logistical and administrative hurdles, have prompted the WBCC to shift the tournament to a neutral location.
The WBCC announced that the upcoming World Cup will be held at a neutral venue after India refused to send its team to Pakistan for the ongoing Blind T20 World Cup.
India, the defending champion, announced last month that it will not travel to Pakistan to play the Blind T20 World Cup 2024, citing the lack of permission from the Modi government.
Syed Sultan Shah, Chairman of the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) and newly re-elected President of the WBCC, explained that hosting matches at neutral venues is the most feasible solution to the ongoing political and administrative hurdles between the two neighboring countries.