India has denied permission to its blind cricket team to take part in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
According to a report, the withdrawal comes after the Indian Ministry of External Affairs refused to issue a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for the participation of their Blind Cricket Team in the event.
The news was confirmed by Shailendra Yadav, general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA).
He said in a statement, “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 begin.”
Yadav continued, “When I talked with the Ministry of External Affairs on the phone then they told us that we won't be getting any permission to go to Pakistan and we can cancel your tournament.”
“They also told us that we will be getting an official letter of denial as well.
However, we haven’t got any official letter yet but based on our conversation with MEA we’ve decided not to go to Pakistan and we will not participate in the Blind T20 World Cup,” Yadav told India Today,” the General Secretary added.
He further revealed, “Along with us, England, Australia, and New Zealand are also not coming. Hence, India will become the fourth team that will not take part in this tournament.”
In the meantime, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) has confirmed that the Blind T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Lahore, Pakistan from November 23 to December 3, will continue without the Indian team.
"All other teams are coming to Pakistan for the World Cup. If one team doesn’t show up, it won’t affect our preparations," Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) chairman Syed Sultan Shah stated.