The Indian cricket team has decided to withdraw from the upcoming T20 World Cup for the Blind, following a lack of travel permission from the Ministry of External Affairs. The team had previously secured a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Sports Ministry but was waiting for the final approval from the government to cross the border.
Shailendra Yadav, the general secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association, confirmed that the Ministry of External Affairs instructed them to pull out of the tournament, which is set to take place in Pakistan from November 23 to December 3. He mentioned that while they have received verbal communication about the denial, they are still waiting for an official letter from the government.
“We waited for 25 days for permission to travel to Pakistan, but now we cannot delay any longer with the tournament just around the corner. When I spoke to the Ministry of External Affairs, they told us we wouldn’t get permission and should cancel our participation. Although we haven’t received the formal letter yet, based on our conversation, we have decided not to compete in the Blind T20 World Cup,” Yadav explained.
Yadav also revealed that India is not the only country withdrawing; England, Australia, and New Zealand have also decided not to participate, making India’s absence particularly significant. He expressed disappointment that the players’ dedication and efforts might go to waste.
“It’s unfortunate for cricket as a whole. The matches between India and Pakistan are hugely popular, and both teams are very strong. With India not participating, Pakistan will receive a free pass in the tournament. It’s sad for the players who have been training hard for this opportunity. Our team was scheduled to depart on November 20, and it seems unlikely that anything could change in such a short time,” he added.
This decision comes shortly after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council that the Indian men’s team would also not travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. While the 50-over tournament may be affected due to India’s absence, the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) indicated that the Blind T20 World Cup could still proceed without the Indian representatives. The PBCC chairman, Syed Sultan Shah, confirmed that visas had been issued for the Indian team.
It’s worth noting that India is the defending champion of the Blind T20 World Cup, having won every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2012. In the last tournament held in 2022, India triumphed over Bangladesh, securing their third consecutive title in a decisive final match.
